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Cambodia and <a href="https://www.google.com/url?q=http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/thailand-top-court-orders-compensation-for-myanmar-workers-in-landmark-case-190503&amp;sa=U&amp;ved=0ahUKEwiHqZ2PkfffAhXJpI8KHeoDDlAQFggFMAA&amp;client=internal-uds-cse&amp;cx=006054055338965708568:09spwrlibei&amp;usg=AOvVaw0X-0uCGzvL2F0rEIVdNcsw">Myanmar</a> have railed at the European Commission for resuming tariffs on millions of dollars of rice, with one ministry describing the move as a "weapon" against already poor farmers.

The EC reimposed duties of up to 175 euros ($200) per tonne of Indica rice from the two countries for three years following intensive lobbying by Italy, who said cheap imports were damaging its farmers.

While it is unconnected, the EC decision comes against the backdrop of threats to remove both Southeast Asian countries from its Everything But Arms (EBA) scheme because of human rights abuses.

The EBA deal allows developing countries access to export a broad array of goods — including rice —to European markets without shouldering tariffs.

The EC found that Indica rice imports from Cambodia and Myanmar had increased by 89 per cent in the last five seasons.

But Cambodia's ministry of commerce said the complaint was based on inaccurate information and would hurt farmers in one of Southeast Asia's poorest countries.

It is a "weapon to kill them and their families who are in debt", it said late Thursday.

Nearly half of Cambodia's 625,000 tonnes of exported rice went to EU markets last year, according to government data.

Ye Min Aung, of Myanmar's Rice Federation, also slammed the move, saying its rice exports to the EU amounted to around $100 million annually.

"We request the EU to keep helping us," he said. "Our country has many difficulties to overcome."

This week Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen threatened "to step on the throat" of his political rivals if the EU ended the Anything But Arms deal, which would hit the kingdom's cash-cow garment sector the hardest.

Removing EU trade preferences is a long, drawn-out process that can take several months. 
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Cambodia and Myanmar have railed at the European Commission for resuming tariffs on millions of dollars of rice, with one ministry describing the move as a "weapon" against already poor farmers.

Cambodia and Myanmar have railed at the European Commission for resuming tariffs on millions of dollars of rice, with one ministry describing the move as a "weapon" against already poor farmers. The EC reimposed duties of up to 175 euros ($200) per tonne of Indica rice from the two countries for three years following intensive lobbying by Italy, who said cheap imports were damaging its farmers. While it is unconnected, the EC decision comes against the backdrop of threats to remove both Southeast Asian countries from its Everything But Arms (EBA) scheme because of human rights abuses. The EBA deal allows developing countries access to export a broad array of goods — including rice —to European markets without shouldering tariffs. The EC found that Indica rice imports from Cambodia and Myanmar had increased by 89 per cent in the last five seasons. But Cambodia's ministry of commerce said the complaint was based on inaccurate information and would hurt farmers in one of Southeast Asia's poorest countries. It is a "weapon to kill them and their families who are in debt", it said late Thursday. Nearly half of Cambodia's 625,000 tonnes of exported rice went to EU markets last year, according to government data. Ye Min Aung, of Myanmar's Rice Federation, also slammed the move, saying its rice exports to the EU amounted to around $100 million annually. "We request the EU to keep helping us," he said. "Our country has many difficulties to overcome." This week Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen threatened "to step on the throat" of his political rivals if the EU ended the Anything But Arms deal, which would hit the kingdom's cash-cow garment sector the hardest. Removing EU trade preferences is a long, drawn-out process that can take several months.

Cambodia, Myanmar hit out at tough EU rice tariffs

Myanmar's de facto leader Aung San Suu Kyi called on Sunday for her people to remain united, saying the Southeast Asian country faces "challenges" at home and abroad, as she marked two years since her party swept to power in a historic vote.

In a televised speech, Suu Kyi made only a passing reference to the crisis in Rakhine state, where her government faces mounting international condemnation for a military operation against Rohingya Muslims that has sent nearly 700,000 members of the minority community fleeing to Bangladesh.

The Nobel Peace Prize laureate has also struggled to match the sky-high expectations that swept her National League for Democracy (NLD) to power in 2016, and is struggling to rebut criticism over slower economic growth and continued fighting with ethnic armed groups.

In the televised address, Suu Kyi urged people to be united. "The world's focus in on Rakhine right now, but we also need to peacefully develop the country."

"We are facing challenges from inside and outside of the country, as we are struggling to develop politics, society and economy," she said.

She also urged people to "respect the intentions and vision of the international community." She did not elaborate.

The civilian government led by Suu Kyi has no control over the military, which launched the crackdown in Rakhine in response to insurgent attacks on security forces in August.

The United States and United Nations have described the operation as ethnic cleansing of the Rohingya, which Myanmar denies.

Suu Kyi also talked about her number one priority - to end decades of fighting between ethnic rebels and the military, which has kept Myanmar in a state of near-perpetual civil war since independence in 1948.

"While building peace and stability is the most important requirement for our country, we need the strength of unity," she said.

Two ethnic armed groups in Myanmar signed a ceasefire with the government in February as Suu Kyi sought to revive the stuttering peace process. The Buddhist-majority country has seen the worst fighting with rebels in years since she took office.

Myanmar on Friday swore in a close ally of Suu Kyi as the country's new president after the outgoing president retired. Analysts said the move was unlikely to affect a delicate balance of power between Suu Kyi and the military.

In a televised speech, Suu Kyi made only a passing reference to the crisis in Rakhine state, where her government faces mounting international condemnation for a military operation against Rohingya Muslims

Myanmar's de facto leader Aung San Suu Kyi called on Sunday for her people to remain united, saying the Southeast Asian country faces "challenges" at home and abroad, as she marked two years since her party swept to power in a historic vote. In a televised speech, Suu Kyi made only a passing reference to the crisis in Rakhine state, where her government faces mounting international condemnation for a military operation against Rohingya Muslims that has sent nearly 700,000 members of the minority community fleeing to Bangladesh. The Nobel Peace Prize laureate has also struggled to match the sky-high expectations that swept her National League for Democracy (NLD) to power in 2016, and is struggling to rebut criticism over slower economic growth and continued fighting with ethnic armed groups. In the televised address, Suu Kyi urged people to be united. "The world's focus in on Rakhine right now, but we also need to peacefully develop the country." "We are facing challenges from inside and outside of the country, as we are struggling to develop politics, society and economy," she said. She also urged people to "respect the intentions and vision of the international community." She did not elaborate. The civilian government led by Suu Kyi has no control over the military, which launched the crackdown in Rakhine in response to insurgent attacks on security forces in August. The United States and United Nations have described the operation as ethnic cleansing of the Rohingya, which Myanmar denies. Suu Kyi also talked about her number one priority - to end decades of fighting between ethnic rebels and the military, which has kept Myanmar in a state of near-perpetual civil war since independence in 1948. "While building peace and stability is the most important requirement for our country, we need the strength of unity," she said. Two ethnic armed groups in Myanmar signed a ceasefire with the government in February as Suu Kyi sought to revive the stuttering peace process. The Buddhist-majority country has seen the worst fighting with rebels in years since she took office. Myanmar on Friday swore in a close ally of Suu Kyi as the country's new president after the outgoing president retired. Analysts said the move was unlikely to affect a delicate balance of power between Suu Kyi and the military.

Myanmar's Suu Kyi urges nation to stay united amid 'challenges'