Latest news with #EuropeanUnion
The Star
21-07-2025
- Business
- The Star
China, EU leaders to meet in Beijing
Top leaders from China and the European Union will hold a summit in Beijing as the major economic powers seek to smooth over disputes ranging from trade to the Ukraine conflict. A spokesperson for China's foreign ministry confirmed that European Council president Antonio Costa and president of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen will visit on Thursday. The statement came after the EU said earlier that the pair would attend the EU-China summit in Beijing following the conclusion of separate meetings in Japan tomorrow. Costa and von der Leyen will meet Chinese President Xi Jinping, with whom they will 'discuss EU- China relations and current geopolitical challenges, including Russia's war in Ukraine', the EU statement said. With Chinese Premier Li Qiang, they will 'cover in more detail the trade and economic aspects of the relationship', according to the bloc. The summit 'is an opportunity to engage with China at the highest level and have frank, constructive discussions on issues that matter to both of us', Costa said. — AFP
The Star
09-06-2025
- Business
- The Star
EU free trade talks to wrap up this month
South-East Asia's largest economy and the European Union are expected to conclude talks over an economic cooperation deal that will relax trade barriers this month, Jakarta's top economic minister said. Indonesia and the 27-member European bloc have been negotiating since 2016 to strike a deal that is expected to increase trade and investment. Ties have been frayed by a proposed import ban on products linked to deforestation into the EU that has angered Indonesia because it is a major palm oil exporter. However, Jakarta's chief Economic Minister Airlangga Hartarto told an online briefing on Saturday that talks were nearing their conclusion. 'We already have entered the final round. This means that we have resolved almost all issues,' Airlangga told reporters. He said in an earlier statement Indonesia and the EU would announce the conclusion of the negotiations by the end of June. Airlangga did not disclose any agreements that would be part of the deal. He said the next step was a legal drafting process to be completed in a 'short time' before the two parties could ratify the agreement. — AFP
