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EU negotiations launch, so does opposition
25-Oct-2007 Tico Times
As negotiations between the European Union and Central America over an association agreement kicked off this week, so did something else: opposition.
Free Trade undermining democracy in Costa Rica
25-Oct-2007 Alliance for Democracy
Democracy in Costa Rica was undermined after several violations to costarrican law.
Legal obstacles emerge over free trade deal with Europe
25-Oct-2007 Business Daily Africa
A landmark case has entered the Kenyan corridors of justice as a group of farmers and a human rights watchdog move to challenge the State over ongoing negotiations for a new trade agreement with Europe.
Nurses pray for Senate rejection of RP-Japan pact
25-Oct-2007 GMANews
Some 2,000 Filipino nurses holding a convention in Cagayan de Oro lit candles and prayed on Wednesday for the Philippine Senate to reject the Japan-Philippines Economic Partnership Agreement.
EU tries to establish Mediterranean free trade zone, meets fierce opposition
25-Oct-2007 AC
Friends of the Earth MedNet has lodged a fierce protest against European Union Trade Commissioner Peter Mandelson for his part in attempting to establish a free trade zone encompassing the countries around the Mediterranean, including non-EU member countries.
European Commission presents roadmap for negotiating trade agreements with ACP countries
24-Oct-2007 DG Trade
For the European Commission, the end of 2007 represents a firm deadline for negotiating the goods market access element of the Economic Partnership Agreements
FTA with EFTA states would benefit Indonesia: Etter
24-Oct-2007 Jakarta Post
A free trade agreement with the European Free Trade Association would be of benefit to Indonesia, Switzerland’s trade negotiator Ambassador Christian Etter says.
NGOs accuse miffed Mandy of neo-imperialism
24-Oct-2007 Guardian
Peter Mandelson is feeling misunderstood. As EU trade commissioner, he stands accused of being a neo-colonialist trying to railroad through Economic Partnership Agreements (EPAs) with 78 African, Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) countries within the next few weeks.
Bolivia: Chancellor Choquehuanca travels to Mexico to sign bilateral agreements
24-Oct-2007 Red Bolivia
Choquehuanca’s trip has the purpose of open better markets that go beyond the Free Trade Agreement signed with Mexico ten years ago.
Vanuatu/Taiwan bilateral trade agreement still in place, says Taipei
24-Oct-2007 Radio Zealand International
Taiwan says the bilateral trade agreement it signed with Vanuatu in 2004 still needs to be implemented. However the current Government led by Ham Lini is a staunch supporter of the One China Policy.
US Congress to approve FTA with Korea ’in 2008’
24-Oct-2007 Chosun Ilbo
Korea’s ambassador to Washington Lee Tae-sik believes the free trade agreement between Korea and the US will be ratified sometime next year.
France backs Morocco push for closer EU ties
24-Oct-2007 Reuters
Sarkozy said he hoped Morocco would play a "leading role" in a Mediterranean Union.
Canada-Korea FTA would destroy jobs in all provinces and regions
24-Oct-2007 CAW
If the Canadian federal government proceeds with a free trade agreement with Korea as promised, the impact on Canadian communities would be disastrous, according to a new study released by the CAW on October 23.
Canada-South-Korea free trade deal would cost thousands of jobs, says union study
24-Oct-2007 Canada Press
The Canadian Auto Workers has called on the three opposition parties in Ottawa to vote down any Canada-Korea free trade agreement in order to save Canadian jobs. CAW’s internal analysis predicts the trade deal would cost over 33,000 jobs.
Canada aims to match US-Korea trade deal: minister
24-Oct-2007 Reuters
Canada is entering a difficult final phase of free-trade negotiations with South Korea and needs to secure a deal if it wants to be able to compete with the United States in Asia, Trade Minister David Emerson said on Tuesday.
India heading towards free trade agreement with EU
24-Oct-2007 Kahbrein Info
"This (FTA) will be one of the easier agreements to conclude," India’s commerce minister Kamal Nath said. But European NGOs’ recent campaigns against Indian industries, accusing them of violating human rights and labour laws, are not helping.
The rising tide: A proposed free-trade area promises to radically change Canada’s East Coast, but would it lift all boats?
23-Oct-2007 McGill Daily
"Atlantica" seems a rather fabulous name for something as unsexy as a trade initiative, but the tale of how it came to the activist community’s attention is nearly as mythic.
India for greater trade ties with Finland
23-Oct-2007 The Statesman
Even as India works towards an India-European Union economic partnership agreement, bilateral relations with Finland need to be strengthened with greater contact between the people of the two countries, the Union commerce and trade minister, Mr Kamal Nath said.
Central America’s poor and the environment will be hit by free trade with the EU
23-Oct-2007
Non-governmental organisations have criticised the EU for its aggressive position in the bi-regional trade and political negotiations with Central America on the day the first official round of negotiations between the European Union and Central American countries begins in San José
Costa Rican court confirms approval of US free trade pact
23-Oct-2007 IHT
Costa Rica’s top electoral court confirmed the results of an Oct. 7 referendum on a free trade agreement with the United States, saying a recount showed the ’yes’ votes only slightly lower than preliminary results had indicated.