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Economic pact not good for us - farmers tell ACP delegates
29-Sep-2008 Graphic Ghana
Peasant farmers and some civil society groups in Ghana have called on African Ministers and negotiators to reject the Economic Partnership Agreements with the European Union.
David and Goliath battle
17-Sep-2008 Fiji Times
This article explores the current crisis in the EU’s negotiations for new Economic Partnership Agreements with 76 ACP countries. In particular, this article highlights the rejection of most components of an EPA by Pacific nations — who are demanding a reduced ’comprehensive EPA’. This has implications for Africa and the Caribbean, where governments are trying to back away from a full EPA with the EU — to pursue only what might be required for WTO-compatibility.
Protect and survive
11-Sep-2008 monbiot.com
Many are aware that the European equation of fair trade with free trade is nonsense, writes George Monbiot
The struggle continues over EPAs
1-Sep-2008
The economic partnership agreements (EPAs) are being given a bad name for nothing, according to Ghanaian parliamentarian JB Danquah.
Third World Network wants government to decline EPA pact
23-Aug-2008
The Third World Network (TWN) has said that it will continue to mount pressure on the government and policy makers for them to withdraw from signing a non-preferential economic partnership with the European Union (EU).
EU is delaying EPA negotiation process - TWN
20-Aug-2008
Mr. Gyekye Tanoh, an official of the Third World Network (TWN), a civil society organization, on Wednesday blamed delays in the Economic Partnership Agreements process on the European Union (EU) saying they were manipulating the negotiation process to suit them.
’Bad deal’
9-Aug-2008
They failed us! That’s what governments, intellectuals and trade unions in CARIFORUM (CARICOM and the Dominican Republic) who negotiated the Economic Partnership Agreement with the European Union did to this region, says James Paul, of the Barbados Agricultural Society.
Spotlight turns to EPA’s as Doha talks fail
2-Aug-2008
With the failure of the Doha development round trade talks fresh in everyone’s minds, the focus now shifts to the equally controversial Economic Partnership Agreements (EPA’s).
PM embraces reservations about EPA
29-Jul-2008
Prime Minister Baldwin Spencer indicated that there are still lingering questions over whether Caricom countries will all sign on to the European Union-Cariforum Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) next month, though he has maintained his personal support for the idea of moving forward with the agreement.
Caribbean urged to renegotiate EPA
28-Jul-2008
A former chief negotiator for the region said it is not too late for Caribbean Community (Caricom) countries to pull out of the Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) with Europe.
APE : Un rapport qui conforte les frondeurs
8-Jul-2008 LeFasoNet
Taubira dénonce sans détour le libéralisme tous azimuts dont les APE sont un des reflets. Pour elle, la politique économique européenne a rendu l’Afrique dépendante et les APE, dans leur formule actuelle, ne feront que perpétuer ces rapports inégaux. Si ce discours fait l’affaire de ceux qui se montrent sceptiques vis-à-vis de la nouvelle relation économique que l’Europe veut instaurer avec l’Afrique, il embarrasse à bien des égards Nicolas Sarkozy, le commanditaire du rapport.
Caricom nations divided on EPA issue
3-Jul-2008
Caricom countries remain divided on the issue of the CARIFORUM-European Union Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA).
$1bn under threat
1-Jul-2008
The Fiji Sugar Corporation might not be able to meet the first quota under the billion-dollar export deal with the European Union if cane supply problems continue.
Economic Partnerships Matter
1-Jul-2008
We are told that the fundamental principles and objectives of the Economic Partnership Agreement between the European Union and CARIFORUM states are defined by the Cotonou Agreement. We are advised that this agreement seeks to create sustainable development of the states, their smooth and gradual integration in the world market, and eradication of poverty.
Some interim EPAs may not be concluded
18-Jun-2008 AllAfrica.com
Some of the 35 African, Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) states that have initialled interim economic partnership agreements (EPAs) may still withdraw from the process — apart from the 44 states that have so far refused to sign EPAs with the European Union — according to researchers studying the fraught trade negotiating process.
Oxfam: rethink unfair EU trade deals before it’s too late
11-Jun-2008 Oxfam press release
Oxfam launched a new research paper today at UNCTAD XII in Ghana. The paper provides a comprehensive analysis of the proposed (I)EPA texts and makes a number of recommendations: to evaluate the deals before they are signed, to provide an alternative for countries that choose not to sign and to renegotiate contentious clauses.
Government procurement provisions in the CARIFORUM EPA and lessons for other ACP states
6-Jun-2008
This paper on government procurement and EPAS written by Stephen Woolcock from LSE recommends that ACP countries first open their procurment markets on a regional basis, before making commitments to the EU.
Maritime sector to see changes when EPA takes effect
3-Jun-2008
With the signing of the Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) scheduled for July this year between CARICOM states, the Dominican Republic and the European Union (EU), several services within the local maritime sector could see changes taking place when the Agreement takes effect.
Legislators to Hold Seminar On EPAs
3-Jun-2008
Parliament will Wednesday hold a joint consultative seminar on the role of Parliament and the private sector in the ongoing negotiations expected to pave way for signing the Economic Partnership Agreements (EPAs).
France seeks greater flexibility with Africa
24-May-2008
France, the forthcoming holder of the European Union’s rotating presidency, has asked that the bloc display greater flexibility in talks aimed at reaching free trade accords with Africa.