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EU legislators press Singapore on freedoms 02 October 2007, 14:02 CET (SINGAPORE) - Singapore should allow greater political freedom and ease its banking secrecy laws, European legislators said Tuesday, while praising the city-state for its otherwise open economy. Seven members of the European Parliament were visiting the city-state to probe prospects for a free trade agreement (FTA) between Europe and the 10-member ASEAN, of which Singapore is the current chair. The 10-member Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and the European Union agreed in May to launch free trade talks. Ignasi Guardans Cambo, a Spanish member of the European Parliament, said his delegation raised the issue of greater political freedom during a meeting with their Singaporean counterparts on Tuesday. He said Singapore is "the most open economy in this area... (but) it still has some room to improve in other areas which are more political." One area is freedom of expression, he told the Foreign Correspondents' Association. Cambo was among a group of European legislators barred by Singapore authorities from speaking at a forum in April to discuss the development of democracy in Asia and Europe. Singapore's foreign ministry explained the move by saying political issues have to be decided by Singaporeans and not foreigners. "Obviously, that was not the intention. At least nobody from the European Parliament has any intention to interfere with the internal politics of Singapore," Cambo said. Singapore says its tough laws against dissent and other political activity are necessary to ensure the stability which has helped the country achieve economic success. Glyn Ford, a member of the Socialist Group in the European Parliament, said the EU will also seek improvements in Singapore's banking secrecy laws. http://www.eubusiness.com/news_live/1191326522.11