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Critics given sneak peak of free trade deal
In a bid to secure a smooth passage for a public hearing on the Thai-Japanese free trade agreement, the Thai Foreign Ministry yesterday allowed a group of critics to gain access to the text of the controversial deal.
ALBA: Venezuela’s answer to free trade
The Bolivarian Alternative for the Americas (ALBA) represents the first attempt at regional integration that is not based primarily on trade liberalization but on a new vision of social welfare and equity. This report provides a detailed account, and a critical assessment, of the ALBA project to date.
Interview: Alternatives for Integration and Free trade Must Be Considered for the Continent
It will be necessary to consider several alternative models for integration and trade between Latin American countries through several initiatives.
Proposals to protect the constitution from neoliberalism
In the last 14 months, the Bolivarian Movement of Struggle against the FTA and FTAA and its successor, the Bolivarian Movement for the Sovereignty and Integration of People, have been preparing a proposal for a debate in the Constituent Assembly which was set up the 6th of August in Sucre. It is not a legal document but a platform of minimal principles to contribute to the debate.
Cuba, Venezuela use Mercosur to promote ALBA
Rather than being a “blow” to the ALBA project, Venezuela’s entry into Mercosur is clearly aimed at defending and promoting this anti-capitalist project.
LatAm diplos talk FTA in Uruguay
Ambasadors from three Latin American nations will present in Montevideo the foundations of the Bolivarian Alternative for the Americas (ALBA), in a specialized meeting to be held at the Republic’s state University.
Latin America Now: An Interview with Raúl Zibechi
In this interview, Raúl Zibechi discusses the challenges of the Evo Morales administration in Bolivia, the power and role of Bolivian social movements, projects for regional integration such as People’s Trade Agreement and the Bolivarian Alternative for Latin America and the region’s new situation after the electoral victories of various "progressive" governments.
Defining the Bolivarian Alternative for the Americas - ALBA
Much has been written and theorized about the Bolivarian Alternative for the Americas (ALBA) since President Chavez first proposed the idea at Isla Margarita at the III Summit of the Heads of State and the Government of the Association of Caribbean States in December, 2001.
Bolivia advocates alternative vision for trade and integration
A cornerstone of Bolivia’s new economy is the People’s Trade Agreement (PTA, or TCP in Spanish), a progressive international trade and integration strategy. Based upon traditional indigenous principles of cooperation, complementarity and solidarity, the PTA is a form of collaboration between nations or communities that reasserts public control over the economy and attempts to recast the role of the corporation from that of "master" to "partner" in a process of sustainable development.
ALBA: The call for an "Amphictyonic Congress" of the age
Latin America is living in times of hope and changes where the longings of Simon Bolivar’s plans for integration have a new validity; but there are also dangers posed by those who are committed to the traditional subordination and ties to Washington.
Back Bolivia’s Peoples’ Trade Agreement!
Here is an agreement that isn’t defensive, but offensive in a truly positive sense. It starts from Andean principles of solidarity, complementarity, reciprocity and co-existence with nature, which contrast radically with current trade regimes that extend rights to capital and multinationals regardless of the cost.
ALBA: Social debt and human rights - proposals for the new social, economic and cultural order
President Chavez has proposed a new project for Latin America integration, ALBA, which challenges the imperial project ALCA, designed to consolidate neocolonial empire.
The Difference between the FTAs and the Trade Treaty for the People – TCP
Pablo Solón, an expert on trade and integration, identifies at least four differences between the FTA and the TCP.
Bolivian president calls for creation of Anti-imperialist Community of Nations
Before an audience of more than 25,000 gathered at Havana’s Revolution Square, which coincided with the signing of the Bolivarian Alternative for the Americas (ALBA) agreement one year ago between Cuba and Venezuela, Bolivia officially joined the regional integration agreement through its Peoples Trade Agreement (TCP).
Cuba-Venezuela-Bolivia: The Trade Treaty for the People (TCP)
The Trade Treaty for the People " (TCP) that the presidents Fidel Castro (Cuba), Hugo Chavez (Venezuela) and Evo Morales (Bolivia) signed at Havana is more about politics than trade.
Cuba, Bolivia, Venezuela reject US trade
Bolivia’s new left-leaning president signed a pact with Cuba and Venezuela on Saturday rejecting US-backed free trade and promising a socialist version of regional commerce and cooperation.
Comercio alternativo al TLC se incorporará al ALBA
El gobierno boliviano manifestó hoy gran expectativa por la incorporación de su propuesta de Tratado de Comercio de los Pueblos (TCP) dentro del proyecto Alternativa Bolivariana para las Américas (ALBA).
TCP: For a just trade between peoples
The Trade Treaty of the Peoples (TCP in Spanish) - proposed by President Evo Morales - is a response to the failure of the neo-liberal model, based as it is on deregulation, privatisation and the indiscriminate opening of markets.
Bolivia, Cuba and Venezuela to ink People’s Trade Treaty
The governments of Bolivia, Venezuela and Cuba next Saturday are initialing in Havana a pact to jump start the People’s Trade Treaty (TCP), Bolivian President Evo Morales said, as reported on Wednesday by several Bolivian media.
Free trade in reciprocity
The new political climate is favourable to projects for regional integration other than the US-led free trade area of the Americas, the most radical being the mutually helpful Bolivarian Alternative.