Page 13 - IDFR-Diplomatic Voice Vol 2 2014

FORUM NEWS government can overcome barriers in from 24 to 25 April 2014 at IDFR. stages, style and the level of negotia- international trade and elements that During the discussion, the two distin- tions as some of the context can can cause major impact to trade such guished speakers, Dr. Sufian Jusoh indirectly affect the negotiations. as globalisation, deregulation and from WTI and Ambassador Dato’ Negotiation also involves several privatisation. Muhamad Noor Yacob, former Malay- cultural factors such as individualism, sian Ambassador to the WTO collectivism, power distance, mascu- The participants also discussed on the highlighted the challenges during linity, feminity and uncertainty avoid- measurements that could be used to preparation and negotiations of ance. The participants had the oppor- overcome problems in trade policy economic and trade agreement. The tunity to learn some of the main strate- such as reviewing the existing Interna- challenges involved the ability to gies to become a better negotiator. tional Standard and Technical Regula- ensuring transparency in the negotia- tion, remove unnecessary rules and tions and the efficiency to manage The programme which was held at compliance cost and improve efficien- various chapters of the agreements. IDFR was attended by participants cy through enabling fair competition. from several academic institutions, The speakers highlighted that as a ministries and agencies. The Workshop on Negotiating Interna- negotiator, one should have better tional Economic Agreements was held understanding regarding scope, Panel Discussion on The Current Developments in Ukraine On 7 May 2014, the Institute of Diplo- was moderated by Associate Profes- legality of Russian’s action, its implica- macy and Foreign Relations (IDFR) sor Dr. Ravinchandran Moorthy from tions and also views from the Interna- organised a Panel Discussion on The Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia. The tional Law’s perspective. Meanwhile, Current Developments in Ukraine. It panelists included Professor Dr. Prof. Dr. Azmi Hassan touched on served as a platform for the exchange Mohammad Naqib Ishan Jan, Lectu- current developments in Ukraine. As a of information, knowledge and rer, Ahmad Ibrahim Kulliyyah (Faculty) former career diplomat, Ambassador insights on developments in Ukraine of Laws, International Islamic Universi- (R) Dato' M. Redzuan Kushairi and its impact to the region ty Malaysia (IIUM), Professor Dr. Azmi highlighted a number of dimensions in concerned, in particular the relations Hassan, GeoStrategist at Institute of the crisis of Ukraine such as history, between Ukraine and Russia. The GeoSpatial (INSTeG), Universiti Tek- foreign policies and the challenging panel discussion also looked at the nologi Malaysia (UTM) and Ambassa- issues. reaction/response from the interna- dor (R) Dato' M. Redzuan Kushairi, tional community especially the United Deputy Chairman, Foreign Policy The panel discussion ended with a Nations (UN) on the issue. Study Group (FPSG). question and answer session. Officials from various government agencies The session commenced with Prof. Dr. Muhammad Naqib Ishan Jan attended the discussion. welcoming remarks from Dato’ Hussin gave his views on the situation in Nayan, Director General of IDFR. It Ukraine on legal aspects including the DIPLOMATIC VOICE 13