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Europe drive vs workers assailed
24-Jun-2008 ABS-CBN
A regional coalition of civil-society organizations in Southeast Asia has criticized the European Parliament decision mandating the forcible deportation of undocumented workers in Europe. The decision negates the goals of the proposed EU free-trade deal with members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean), seeking to open trade and investments including the seamless entry of Asean workers to Europe.
Not much hope for Charest’s vision of Canada-Europe free trade agreement
21-Jun-2008 The Gazette
At last week’s international economic forum in Montreal, there was plenty of talk about an initiative being pushed by Premier Jean Charest: a Canada-Europe free trade agreement.
EU decision to upgrade relationship with Israel reveals Europe’s selective adherence to human rights standards
21-Jun-2008 AIC
Monday’s announcement for increased relations concerns three areas: diplomatic cooperation; Israel’s participation in European plans and agencies; and an examination of possible Israeli integration into the European Single Market.
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.
Hard bargains: Bilateral trade pacts draw domestic objections
17-Jun-2008 FT
The fear of having other countries steal a march on Washington by signing their own deals may bring Congress back to the bilateral trade negotiating table.
Anti EPA groups protest at White Hall!
17-Jun-2008 St Lucia Star
On Thursday June 12, organizations from around the region staged a protest against the EU-Caribbean Economic Partnership Agreement in front of White Hall, the prime minister’s office in Trinidad.
Israel seeking an upgrading of its relations with the EU and to obtain "special status"
16-Jun-2008 AIC
On Monday June 16th, the EU-Israel Association Council will convene for the eighth time. For Israel the stakes are high.
S. Korea, Europe seek FTA conclusion in 2008
16-Jun-2008 Korea Times
Europe wants to conclude a free trade agreement (FTA) with South Korea by the year’s end to further boost bilateral economic ties
Obstacles to EU-Asean FTA
13-Jun-2008 The Nation
A free-trade agreement between the Association of Southeast Asian Nations and the European Union is unlikely to take shape soon because of the big discrepancies between Asean members and political problems in Burma, said Belgian Foreign Minister Karel De Gucht.
GCC rejects strings to EU free trade deal
13-Jun-2008 Middle East Online
Gulf Cooperation Council says will not accept any political conditions by the European Union to sign a free trade agreement. The EU’s final position is expected in July.
Ottawa et Paris s’entendent pour appuyer le libre-échange Canada-Europe
12-Jun-2008 La Presse Canadienne
La France et le Canada ont officiellement convenu mercredi d’appuyer ensemble le projet de partenariat économique canado-européen, dont le premier ministre québécois Jean Charest s’est fait le plus ardent promoteur.
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.
’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.