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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."
Businesses in Costa Rica opine on trade agreement with European Union
27-Apr-2007 Tico Times
Costa Rican business leaders are being given a chance to opine on an association agreement between Central American and the European Union before these two regions begin negotiating the agreement in Brussels, Belgium, in June.
EPA may "destroy" Malawi’s manufacturing potential
27-Apr-2007 IPS
Economic circles in eastern and southern Africa are abuzz with discussions about the advantages and disadvantages of the economic partnership agreement (EPA) which governments of these countries are negotiating with the European Union (EU).
A matter of political will: How the European Union can maintain market access for African, Caribbean and Pacific countries in the absence of Economic Partnership Agreements
27-Apr-2007
The European Commission has threatened 76 of the world’s poorest countries with lower access to the EU market if they fail to sign new trade deals known as Economic Partnerhip Agreements (EPAs) by the end of 2007. But the threats are not justified.
South Africa: EU agreement has "not been beneficial"
26-Apr-2007 IPS
A senior member of parliament of the ruling African National Congress (ANC), Ben Turok, says the existing trade agreement between South Africa and the European Union (EU) has not benefited his country.
Questions States must ask about EPAs
25-Apr-2007 AllAfrica.com
There have been myriad commentaries on the ongoing negotiations on Economic Partnership Agreements between the European Union and the African, Caribbean and Pacific countries. The first thing in these debates is the jargon and how much a regular member of our communities would not understand. It’s about time that those who know anything about trade and economic agreements explained this agreement to the rest in simple ’Wanjiku’ language.
EU: Conclusions on the recommendations to open negotiations with countries of ASEAN, India and South Korea
25-Apr-2007
The EU Council, and the Representatives of the Member States meeting within the Council, officially gave the Commission "the green light" to start FTA negotiations with India, Korea and ASEAN.
Moroka off for EPA talks
24-Apr-2007
Botswana’s Ministry of Trade and Industry has announced that the Minister, Neo Moroka, leaves for South Africa today for the Southern African Development Community (SADC) trade talks.
Economic impact of a potential free trade agreement (FTA) between the European Union and South Korea
24-Apr-2007
A study prepared for the European Union