International economic relations
This page highlights some of the current parliamentary material available on international economic relations. This includes select committee reports, briefing papers on current legislation and other subjects produced by the parliamentary research services, and the latest Early Day Motions put down by MPs.
Standard Notes
| 01.03.2013 | North Korea: domestic developments during Kim Jong-Un's first year in power |
| This note briefly surveys domestic developments in North Korea since the death of Kim Jong-Il in December 2011 and the succession of his son, Kim Jong-Un. The nuclear issue is referred to only in passing. Insofar as we can know, Kim Jong-Un appears to have consolidated power smoothly and quickly. There are signs that the new leadership wants to shift from a 'Military First' to a 'People First' policy, which will involve economic reform measures. However, there are no real signs yet of an improvement on human rights. |
| 22.02.2013 | The 0.7% aid target |
| This note examines the definition of the 0.7% aid target, its origins and the UK's and other countries' performance against it. It also summarises recent attempts to enshrine the target in legislation and some criticism of its relevance. |
| 22.02.2013 | GDP - International comparisons: Economic Indicators page |
| In Q4-2012, output in the eurozone as a whole contracted by 0.6%, while Germany and France saw their output contract by 0.6% and 0.3% respectively. UK output contracted by 0.3% in Q4-2012 compared to the previous quarter, while US output did not grow. |
| 20.02.2013 | Unemployment - International Comparisons: Economic Indicators page |
| The UK harmonised unemployment rate for Q3 2012 was 7.8%. This was below the rate of France and Italy (10.3% and 10.7%, respectively, in Q3) but above that of Germany (5.3%). |
| 13.02.2013 | In brief: UK-EU economic relations - key statistics |
| This note sets out, in brief, some of the main indicators of the UK's economic relationship with the EU. |
Research Papers
| 01.11.2012 | European Union (Croatian Accession and Irish Protocol) Bill [Bill 76 of 2012-13] |
| Croatia is expected to join the EU in July 2013. This Bill would allow the UK to ratify Croatia's accession treaty and would also cover the Protocol to the Lisbon Treaty put forward by the Irish Government. |
| 25.02.2010 | Debt Relief (Developing Countries) Bill [Bill 17 of 2009-10] |
| The Bill seeks to limit the amount that can be recovered by any commercial creditor of those countries designated as having unsustainable external debts. The legislation would restrict the activities of so-called 'vulture funds', which buy developing countries' sovereign debt at discounted prices, then seek to recover its value in full through the courts. It would limit successful claims to an internationally agreed level and apply equally to all commercial creditors. It would cover the 40 countries in the IMF/World Bank Heavily Indebted Poor Countries (HIPC) initiative. Debts incurred after the Bill's entry into force would be excluded. |
| 05.06.2009 | War and peace in Sri Lanka |
| This paper provides a brief historical and social survey of Sri Lanka, including the origins of the conflict between the Sri Lankan Government and the LTTE. It then gives an account of developments since 2002, when a ceasefire was agreed and hopes were raised - rapidly to be dashed - that there might be a peaceful negotiated resolution of the conflict. The paper also surveys the stance taken by the international community on the conflict, the military capabilities of the Sri Lankan military, and aid and development issues. It concludes by considering Sri Lanka's future prospects, including assessing how real the Government's military victory is and whether genuine political and constitutional reforms are likely to be introduced. |
| 05.12.2008 | Turkey Today |
| Turkey Today: An overview of the main issues affecting Turkey today |
| 02.05.2007 | An economic introduction to India |
| An economic introduction to India. House of Commons Library Research Paper 07/40. |
Early Day Motions
| 22.10.2008 | TRANSPARENCY OF CARBON MARKETS |
| That this House believes that carbon trading can play an important role in combating climate change, but that confidence in such an approach can only be maintained if such markets are ... |
| 13.10.2008 | ASSISTANCE TO ICELAND |
| That this House is concerned that instead of helping the UK's old ally and friend Iceland in its financial crisis, and taking concerted measures with the Icelandic government to help ... |
| 15.07.2008 | LABOUR FRIENDS OF IRAQ DELEGATION VISIT TO BAGHDAD |
| That this House notes the recent Labour Friends of Iraq delegation to Baghdad as guests of the Islamic Dawa Party to meet the Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri Al-Maliki, his advisers, the ... |
| 23.04.2008 | EUROPEAN UNION SANCTIONS AGAINST CUBA |
| That this House welcomes the recognition by Louis Michel, European Commissioner for Development and Humanitarian Aid, who recently visited Cuba, that European Union sanctions against ... |
