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’EU lobby behind delay in FTA deal’
10-Jun-2008 Emirates Business 24/7
The European Union has delayed signing a free trade agreement with the six-nation Gulf Co-operation Council countries because of opposition by a powerful lobby within the EU, a Saudi official was quoted as saying yesterday.
’...Agreement harmful to small producers’
9-Jun-2008 Trinidad & Tobago Express
Calling for a re-negotiation of a new Economic Partnership Agreement, Federation of Independent Trade Unions and Non Governmental Organisations president David Abdulah says aspects of the agreement could prove to be harmful to the people of Trinidad and Tobago and the Caribbean.
Sovereignty or solidarity? Pacific changes tack as Europe wins first round in trade talks
9-Jun-2008 Islands Business
Sovereignty must be partially surrendered if Pacific islands countries are to maintain solidarity in trade negotiations. Pacific countries who are members of the African, Caribbean and Pacific bloc of states had a rude realisation of this basic and age-old truth in their on-going negotiations with the European Commission for an economic partnership agreement.
Trinidad and Tobago to sign EPA
9-Jun-2008 Caribbean Net News
Trinidad and Tobago is expected by the end of July 2008 to sign the Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) between CARIFORUM and the European Union along with its regional counterparts.
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.
EU mulls free trade deal with Armenia
5-Jun-2008 Armenia Liberty
The European Union is considering signing a free trade agreement with Armenia as part of its efforts to strengthen ties with the South Caucasus state
Government procurement provisions in the CARIFORUM EPA and lessons for other ACP states
5-Jun-2008
This paper on government procurement and EPAs written by Stephen Woolcock from LSE recommends that ACP countries first open their procurement markets on a regional basis, before making commitments to the EU.
UN Committee recommends that India assess likely impacts of EFTA and EU trade talks
5-Jun-2008 3D
A leading UN Committee has recommended that India review all aspects of its trade negotiations - particularly those with EU and EFTA - to ensure that they do not result in a situation which undermines the rights of people within the country, particularly the most disadvantaged and vulnerable. Meeting last month in Geneva, the Committee also noted its concern about the impact of genetically-modified seeds in India on farmers’ livelihoods.
Palestinian PM urges EU not to upgrade Israel ties
4-Jun-2008 Reuters
At issue is whether to deepen relations governed by the current EU-Israel association agreement
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).
Protestors say no to EPA
30-May-2008 The Bahama Journal
As Bahamas Prime Minister Hubert Ingraham and members of his Cabinet walked across Rawson Square to the House of Assembly on Wednesday morning they were greeted by angry citizens protesting against the Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA).
Arab Gulf states disappointed with talks on free trade pact with EU
27-May-2008 IHT
Kuwait’s foreign minister says Arab Gulf states are "disappointed" with the slow pace of their negotiations with the European Union on a free trade pact.
Media Release: In commemoration of Africa Day, 25 May 2008.
26-May-2008
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.
Pacts with developed nations to take Indian trade into new era
24-May-2008
India is currently negotiating preferential trade and investment agreements with some developed countries - the European Union, Japan and Korea.
Syria-EU relations need review
23-May-2008 Gulf News
Syria remains the only partner out of the nine other Mediterranean countries under the Barcelona process who hasn’t signed an association agreement with the EU.
EU wants provinces on board before talks start
22-May-2008 Embassy Magazine
After years of exploring the feasibility of a free trade agreement with the European Union, Canadian politicians and officials are now turning their attention to the next Canada-EU summit, in Montreal in October, as the venue for finally launching official talks.
EU urges India to offer more in bilateral trade talks
21-May-2008
The European Commission called on India on Tuesday to go further with its plans to open up its economy to European exports under a planned bilateral trade deal between the two trade powers.
The EPA conundrum
21-May-2008
There are strident calls for the Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA), due to be signed by Cariforum in July, to be amended, varied or simply not signed. Any possible renegotiation of the treaty, it is acknowledged, might come at a potentially intolerable cost.