bilaterals.org logo
bilaterals.org logo

All articles

ESA bloc to sign interim EPA with EU 29 August
19-Aug-2009
The Eastern-Southern Africa bloc will sign an interim Economic Partnership Agreement with the European Union on 29 August in Mauritius, PANA learnt Tuesday from an official source.
West Africa: Traders reject EPA
18-Aug-2009 AllAfrica.com
The National Association of Nigerian Traders have voiced concerns over what it calls inflexibility on the part of the European Union in the ongoing negotiations between it and the Economic Community of West Africa States over the Economic Partnership Agreement.
The Caribbean EPA affair: Lessons for the progressive movement
15-Aug-2009 Norman Girvan
This paper discusses lessons for the regional progressive movement of the 2007-2008 campaign of Caricom civil society to secure public review and government renegotiation of the CARIFORUM-EU EPA
Ghana to sign EPA in October
13-Aug-2009
Ghana may be compelled to sign the Economic Partnership Agreement in its current form come October if discussions on the agreements are not finally concluded by ECOWAS.
SPYL Backs Government on EPAs
11-Aug-2009
The Swapo Party Youth League has come all out in support of Government’s refusal to sign the EPAs, claiming current negotiations with the European Union (EU) on the Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) are not beneficial to the country.
EU defends fleet
5-Aug-2009 Fiji Times
Fiji is on the verge of signing off on an economic partnership agreement with the European Union. But one of the main beneficiaries of the agreement —our fisheries sector— cannot enjoy any of the duty-free, quota-free access because it does not meet stringent EU rules and regulations.
Push for development, not FTA, at Pacific Islands Forum
3-Aug-2009 AIE
Global recession, climate change and the Pacific Agreement on Closer Economic Relations (PACER Plus) are expected to dominate the Pacific Islands Forum, a four-day program scheduled to begin tomorrow in Cairns, Australia.
Economic pact with EU causes discord among Sadc members
31-Jul-2009 Engineering News
One of the underlying principles of the Economic Partnership Agreement between the European Union and the Southern African Development Community is that it should complement and support regional integration initiatives. However, the signing of the Interim EPA by some member states, and not by others, has generated uncertainty within the region.
East Africa may delay trade pact with EU: Tanzania
31-Jul-2009 Daily Nation
The East African Community bloc is likely to delay signing a new trade deal with the European Union because fresh issues have been introduced in the negotiations, Tanzania’s trade minister said.
EU and Papua New Guinea sign agreement
31-Jul-2009 se2009.eu
The EU and Papua New Guinea are today formally signing the Interim Economic Partnership Agreement.
Calls for Namibia not to sign interim-EPA hold merit, says analyst
28-Jul-2009 Engineering News
A number of Namibian civil society organisations, as well as the Namibia Chamber of Commerce and Industry, have supported the government’s decision not to sign the interim Economic Partnership Agreement with the European Union, amid concerns that it caused discord among Southern African Customs Union member States.
The Interim EPA: Why Namibia should not sign
22-Jul-2009
Recent reports in the media with regards to Namibia’s so-called “reluctance” to sign the interim Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) with the European Union (EU) have elevated the issue to a level that once again necessitates public debate on the merits of such a step.
Ghana endorses EPA in October
22-Jul-2009 Joy Business
Trade and Industry Minister Hannah Tetteh says Ghana will trade only in goods under the Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) – contrary to suggestions the country would also be trading in services.
Investors rush for Africa
14-Jul-2009 New Era
New Era talked to four Members of the European Parliament regarding Europe’s position on the ongoing scramble for Africa’s riches.
INTERATUN rejects EU-Papua New Guinea accord
11-Jul-2009 FIS
The Inter-Professional Tuna Organisation (INTERATUN) warns that the European tuna fishing industry is in trouble if the European Union Agriculture and Fisheries Council approves the EU-Pacific Economic Partnership Agreement on Monday, 13 July
EU says SA ‘bullying’ neighbours
10-Jul-2009 Times of Swaziland
It seems the problems emanating from the Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) are far from over, as SA and EU have started exchanging strong ‘words’.
Namibia: Civil society supports EPA stand
10-Jul-2009 New Era
Civil society is rallying behind Government in its decision to take on the European Commission, lobbying for support not to sign the interim economic partnership agreement until the EC puts agreed trade concessions on infant industry protection, food security, export taxes and free goods flow in writing.
’EU plans to capture African market’
10-Jul-2009 AllAfrica.com
The European Union does not have an offensive commercial interest in the Economic Partnership Agreement. Rather, it is part of its strategic plan and policy to capture the African market, the Special Adviser to the President of NEPAD has said.
Namibia’s EPA stance worries EU
8-Jul-2009 New Era
Not only is the European Union (EU) uncomfortable with Namibia’s ambiguity on interim Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA), but it is also concerned about the possibility of a legal challenge over Namibia’s access to duty-free quota free since last year.
Free trade deal will cost Ethiopia, warns researchers
7-Jul-2009 Nazret.com
The Ethiopian Government is debating whether to sign the EPA with the EU, as it has concerns about the effect it will have on its fragile industries. Research shows negative implications for women, agriculture and manufacturing.