bilaterals.org logo
bilaterals.org logo

EPAs

Trade: Pacific on ‘word watch’, but time is running out
12-Jun-2007
With only six months left for the African, Caribbean and Pacific bloc of states to have its economic partnership agreement with the European Union negotiated, sealed and signed, the 14 Pacific members of the alliance are more worried about word usage.
EPA draft ready for endorsement: Expert
12-Jun-2007
Fiji’s first technical draft offers to the European Union on an Economic Partnership Agreement have yet to receive the interim Government’s endorsement, says Forum Secretariat consultant, Mere Falemaka.
EU-Africa experts to meet amid hot critics on EPAs
12-Jun-2007
European Union (EU) and African experts are scheduled to meet in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia this week to discuss key issues on the EU-Africa cooperation. Agendas for the meeting might include EU-ACP cooperation-related issues, progress on the Economic Partnership Agreements (EPAs) negotiations and African Union matters.
Deadline drawing near ... for negotiations in Economic Partnership Agreement with Europe
12-Jun-2007
Barbados and other developing countries negotiating an Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) with Europe are -struggling- to meet the year-end deadline.
Churches in EPAs debate: Why Not?
11-Jun-2007
Felix Okatch (“Churches’ stand on EPAs look suspicious,” The EastAfrican, May 28-June 3) wondered why churches should take a stand on a “complex matter” such as the Economic Partnership Agreements (EPAs) between the European Union and the countries of Africa, Caribbean and the Pacific.
EU in danger of breaking its promise to the poor
10-Jun-2007 Financial Times
In its economic partnership agreement (EPA) negotiations with the ACP, the European Union seems to have forgotten the development dimension and pursues an agenda that reflects primarily the interest of the EU alone. This pattern is painfully evident in the EU’s pursuit of new and higher standards for intellectual property and other trade-related areas.
EU won’t demand ’duty-free’ access to Caribbean markets - Critical of Jamaica’s high cost of business
9-Jun-2007
A European Union (EU) representative in Jamaica, moving to calm fears that duty-free goods from that region would storm the Caribbean come January 1, 2008 has said the 27-member bloc is not expecting full reciprocity on its blanket offer to eliminate duties on regionally-produced goods entering its market.
EU sponsors new study on EPAs
8-Jun-2007
Uganda will benefit from a $64,000 fund from the European Union aimed at supporting studies on the likely impact of international trade on its environment.
Africans speak out against EPAs as unwelcome
8-Jun-2007
When European campaigners suggest that a free trade deal could harm the poor, they typically encounter a frosty reaction from civil servants in Brussels. Still, no one tries to muzzle them.
EU, ACP determined to meet end-of-year deadline for EPAs
7-Jun-2007
Leaders from African, Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) states have vowed once again to work to finalise a set of free trade agreements with the EU before a critical end-of-year deadline, although many issues in the negotiations remain unresolved.
EPA will harm Gambian economy
4-Jun-2007
The full implementation of the Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) by 2008, will mean that The Gambia will lose duty revenue estimated at US$40.719 million per annum representing a significant loss of 91%, said Lamin Damfa, a Senior Staff at the Ministry of Trade.
Central Africa: Not Ready to Negotiate Trade with Europe
4-Jun-2007
Central Africa seems an unlikely candidate for a free trade deal with the European Union.
Greater discussion needed with civil society on EPAs
3-Jun-2007
While the labour movement supports the negotiation of Economic Partnership Agreements (EPAs) between the Caribbean and the European Union (EU), there must be greater discussion with trade unions and civil society, and specially included treatment for women.
New EU market access offer unacceptable - region’s sugar group
30-May-2007
The Sugar Association of the Caribbean (SAC) is calling for a substantial improvement in the current access of sugar to the European Union (EU) market.
EPAs could be signed by December
29-May-2007
Despite the unpreparedness of West African governments to negotiate the Economic Partnership Agreements with the European Union, there are clear indications that the EPAs will be signed by the December 31, 2007 deadline, Tetteh Hormeku, Head of Programmes at Third World Network, has said.
East Africa: EPA controversy continues
28-May-2007 AllAfrica.com
The Kenya Association of Manufacturers (KAM) has warned that COMESA states will lose up to Ksh16.9billion ($241 million) annually if the Economic Partnership Agreement with the European Union is endorsed. "Is this a second colonization by the EU.....or economic slavery by the so-called developed world?" said Mr. John Ogam, member of the Kisumu KAM executive Committee.
Churches reject Economic Partnership Agreements
28-May-2007
Catholic and other churches in Kenya are opposed to Economic Partnership Agreements (EPAs) currently being negotiated between developing countries and the European Union.
EU and ACP states vow to clinch free trade deals by end-year
26-May-2007 Monsters and critics
The European Union and 78 African, Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) states vowed Friday to clinch free-trade deals by end- 2007, defying critics who say the agreements will not help fight poverty.
Uganda: More time needed for EPA negotiations
26-May-2007 IPS
Uganda has made little progress in its economic partnership agreement (EPA) negotiations with the European Union (EU), as government and the private sector say that they need more time before committing to a deal.
Trade: African countries fight EU for survival
23-May-2007 IPS
Anti-poverty campaigners have likened trade negotiations between the European Union (EU) and several regions in Africa to a boxing match between a schoolboy novice and a heavyweight champion.