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EPAs

The EU is trying to trick developing countries into poor trade deals
9-Nov-2007 The Guardian
The dirtiest trick is the spurious insistence on a December deadline. On top of this, the commission’s latest approach — that individual countries should sign up to EPAs without their weaker neighbours — reveals how shallow their commitment to ACP regional integration is.
Chaos on eve of EPA deadline
9-Nov-2007 AllAfrica.com
On the eve of the deadline of the finalisation of the economic partnership agreement (EPA) negotiations, chaos reigns.
EU boss to Kituyi: Take our deal or hit the road
9-Nov-2007 Business Daily Africa
The European Union reacted sharply to Trade minister Mukhisa Kituyi’s Tuesday revelation that Kenya will no longer pursue an interim trade pact with Europe but a comprehensive agreement ahead of the expiry of the one on December 31.
“Love is blind”?
6-Nov-2007 ACP-EU Trade
A two-stage agreement between EU and ACP countries risks being an ‘EPA tight’ rather than an ‘EPA light’
‘Ghana may lose $150m to EPA’
6-Nov-2007 Modern Ghana
Nigeria could also lose $680 million annually if the agreements were implemented, according to the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria
Africa: Church leaders’ statement on Economic Partnership Agreements
5-Nov-2007 AllAfrica.com
Full text of a statement issued recently by Church leaders concerned about new trade agreements being negotiated between Europe and developing countries
Europe charms ‘poor’ Africa in exchange for oil
4-Nov-2007 Daily Nation
It feels great to watch those who once colonised Africa shift and fidget uneasily as they build up a case for “partnership” — if only the rules of the game were clear and genuine. But there is also the nagging thought: Will Africa play it right this time round?
EU gives Pacific breathing space
3-Nov-2007 Islands Business
Pacific Islands countries have been given a breathing space after the European Commission decided to extend the deadline for the signing of the Economic Partnership Agreement between the two parties to December next year. However, negotiations will be held this month on an interim agreement on the trading of goods and possibly services.
Last chance for better agreement between Caribbean and Europe
2-Nov-2007 Huntington News
Having read the draft EPA, I can now confirm that in much of the document, the development dimension is referenced more in shadow than substance. A huge double standard is at play here and what is sauce for the goose is not sauce for the gander, writes a former Caribbean diplomat.
Central Africa steps back from signing EPA, asks EU for preference extension
1-Nov-2007 ICTSD
Prospects for an Economic Partnership Agreement between the EU and eight Central African countries became even more uncertain on 29 October, when Central African ministers pulled back from signing a deal, saying too much work still needed to be done in terms of negotiating specific trade concessions and related development aid.
Farmers deserve a fair hearing
30-Oct-2007 East African
We should not be surprised at the Kenyan state’s almost complete lack of understanding of the concerns raised in a suit filed last week by the Kenya Small Scale Farmers Forum, with the support of the Kenya Human Rights Commission, to block any trade agreement between Kenya and the EU.
East Africa: Ministers move to protect industries from threats of EPAs
30-Oct-2007 AllAfrica.com
East African trade ministers have thrown a new spanner in the works as the countdown to the December 31, 2007 deadline for signing a new trade partnership deal with the industrialized EU states narrows to less than 60 days. The ministers held a secret meeting in Nairobi away from the full glare of anti-globolisation activists and agreed to sign the contentious Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) only if an amendment ensuring that the region’s taxation regime remained intact.
EPAs will destroy African economies — German NGOs
29-Oct-2007
The economic partnership agreements (EPAs), proposed by the European Union (EU) to African, Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) countries, constitute a "neo-colonial instrument" which will destroy the economic and social basis in African states, according to some German non-governmental organisations.
It’s GSP Plus after December... after EU failed to push EPA’s through
29-Oct-2007 The Statesman
West Africa wants the EPA with the European Union to come into force on 1st January 2011 instead of January 2008 provided under the Cotonou partnership agreement. But what trading regime will apply after the expiration of the current trading system in December this year?
Legal obstacles emerge over free trade deal with Europe
25-Oct-2007 Business Daily Africa
A landmark case has entered the Kenyan corridors of justice as a group of farmers and a human rights watchdog move to challenge the State over ongoing negotiations for a new trade agreement with Europe.
European Commission presents roadmap for negotiating trade agreements with ACP countries
24-Oct-2007 DG Trade
For the European Commission, the end of 2007 represents a firm deadline for negotiating the goods market access element of the Economic Partnership Agreements
NGOs accuse miffed Mandy of neo-imperialism
24-Oct-2007 Guardian
Peter Mandelson is feeling misunderstood. As EU trade commissioner, he stands accused of being a neo-colonialist trying to railroad through Economic Partnership Agreements (EPAs) with 78 African, Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) countries within the next few weeks.
When colonies come of age
22-Oct-2007 Fiji Times
As the deadline for a new trade deal with the European Union approaches, the question on people’s minds is: Are developing countries in the Pacific still willing to play?
’No postponement of EPA deadline’ - EU
20-Oct-2007 AllAfrica.com
The European Union has rejected calls by West African states to postpone the end-of-year deadline for concluding a free trade agreement.
’EU undermining agriculture in Africa’
19-Oct-2007 IPS
Europe is undermining its own efforts to strengthen African agriculture by foisting free trade on the continent, a Ghanaian farm leader has complained.