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EU must not threaten Pacific islands
4-May-2007
In an recent article headlined “Economic Partnership Agreements: tackling the myths”, the European Union’s trade commissioner, Peter Mandelson, sought to justify the EU’s position on agreements being negotiated with the African, Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) group of countries.
National-level campaign tackles the proposed EU-ASEAN FTA
4-May-2007 IPD
A broad coalition composed of social movement groups and actors convened to gear up a country-level campaign that will expose and critique the neo-liberal framework that guides the entire free trade agreement (FTA) discourse, now being negotiated between the European Union (EU) and the 10-member ASEAN.
Scholar advises ACP countries
3-May-2007
African, Caribbean and Pacific countries need to press for increased protocol tonnage to safeguard itself, a scholar advised.
Trade bloc ’must reap benefits of EU funds’
3-May-2007
A split among Southern African Development Community (SADC) countries that were also members of the African, Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) group of countries would be detrimental to the region when the European Development Fund decided by year end to roll out development funds for the SADC region, said Foreign Affairs Minister Nkosazana Dlamini- Zuma yesterday.
ASEAN to discuss free trade framework with Japan, EU
3-May-2007 Manila Bulletin
ASEAN economic ministers will tackle issues and modalities on proposed free trade negotiations with Japan and the European Union, but not with the US, starting today.
FTA to top Asean talks at retreat with Japan and EU
2-May-2007
After signing a free trade agreement with South Korea, negotiations are underway at the 13th Asean Economic Ministers (AEM) Retreat, for Japan to be next on the list to sign the deal with the South East Asian Nations grouping.
EU plans to start FTA talks in Asia
2-May-2007
The European Commission has adopted negotiating mandates for new free trade agreements with trade partners in the 10-nation Asean bloc plus India and South Korea, according to a news release from Brussels.
Countries determined to protect sugar benefits
1-May-2007
The African, Carribean, Pacific countries are determined to safeguard the benefits the Sugar Protocol provided and would explore avenues to uphold its position, says ACP Sugar Ministerial chairman Dr Arvin Boolell.
S. Korea to decide on start of FTA talks with EU next week
1-May-2007
South Korea is scheduled to decide on the beginning of negotiations on a free trade agreement (FTA) with the European Union (EU) at a meeting of ministers next week, a government official said Sunday.
Ghana, Burkina Faso must implement protocols
1-May-2007
The Ghana Trade and Livelihoods Coalition (GTLC) has appealed to the governments of Ghana and Burkina Faso to facilitate an unconditional implementation of the protocol on the free movement of persons, goods and services within the West African sub-region.
EPA scoreboard: EU 1, SADC-EPA 0
1-May-2007
On 4 April, 2007 the European Union announced through a press release that it would offer full market access to the African, Caribbean and Pacific countries under the Economic Partnership Agreement negotiations. Before a hype of euphoria sets in, be reminded that the devil resides in the details.
Cotonou’s demise - Namibia to lose millions
30-Apr-2007
The end of the World Trade Organisation waiver for Cotonou trade preferences at the end of this year will cost Namibia hundreds of millions, considering that the country’s agricultural and fish exports are built on the preferences.
The EU and Mercosur: Can the EU get its foot in the door of Mercosur, Latin America’s most dominant market?
30-Apr-2007 COHA
With US foreign policy heavily focused on Iraq and the WTO Doha Round negotiations all but paralyzed, the European Union seems to be disregarding the wide open door to further regional integration and economic influence in Latin America that could be achieved through a free trade arrangement with Mercosur.
Growing sense that Caribbean-EC negotiations may be in trouble
29-Apr-2007
A few days ago an influential political friend of the region asked about the current state of the negotiations between the Caribbean and the Europe for an Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA).
EU says West Africa trade talks may stretch to 2008
29-Apr-2007
The European Commission is pressing West African governments to negotiate a deal on trade before a WTO waiver on current trade perks expires on December 31, but acknowledged on Thursday a short extension may be needed.
EU concessions to African farmers suspect
29-Apr-2007
The recent trade concessions by the European Union to African, Caribbean and Pacific countries mean little in real terms, says an international non-governmental organisation.
Prospects for fairer trade in the Mediterranean
27-Apr-2007
In 2010 a free trade area will be established within the so-called Euromed zone that will make matters worse for poorer communities in the Mediterranean region. The renowned academic and activist Tonino Perna anticipates that some four million small farmers with less than three hectares of land and small fishermen will be swamped out of business by big companies with big money.
Trade experts opt for liberal trade regime...reject EPA’s and opts for GSP
27-Apr-2007
Advocacy groups in the country have recommended to the country’s negotiating team in the new trade agreement with the European Union to opt for a more liberal trade pact known as the Generalised System of Preferences plus-scheme.
Woolf lobbies Brussels on Asian liberalisation
27-Apr-2007
Law Society president Fiona Woolf is visiting Brussels today to lobby the European Commission on the liberalisation of legal services in Asia.
EPAs Should Be Subjected to Electoral Test
27-Apr-2007
"Here is a free trade agreement between rich and poor countries in which the former is trying to impose a reciprocal system of trade on the latter, with major consequences for poor people."