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Namibia: EPA pain in the butt
10-Dec-2007 AllAfrica.com
Government’s refusal to sign the interim Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) has thrown a challenge to the private sector, which had put too much trust on the Cotonou Agreement by regarding European markets as the only export destination.
EU should not pressure developing countries over trade agreements says WCC leader
10-Dec-2007 Ekklesia
World Council of Churches (WCC) general secretary Rev Dr Samuel Kobia has told European Commissioner Peter Mandelson that the coercive approach adopted by the EU poisons the negotiating atmosphere and that the interim agreements are not consistent with development, poverty eradication and rights to food.
Mary Robinson concerned about EU approach to EPAs
9-Dec-2007 IPS
A recent study by Realizing Rights, an ‘‘ethical globalisation’’ body set up by the former UN commissioner for human rights and former Irish president Mary Robinson, forecasts that an EPA could harm Ghana’s development prospects by narrowing its scope to create more and better-paid jobs.
CARICOM leaders again negotiate with EU
7-Dec-2007 Prensa Latina
The complexity of the negotiations of an Accord of Economic Association with the European Union will mobilize the Heads of State of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) Friday, for the third time in the last two months.
Trade row casts shadow over EU-Africa summit
7-Dec-2007 IC
A row over new trade rules risks souring the mood at this weekend’s EU-Africa summit and underlines the problems Europe faces in forging new relations with its former colonies, according to analysts.
EU-SADC interim FTA (2007)
7-Dec-2007
Initialled by Botswana, Lesotho, Swaziland and Mozambique on 23 November 2007
EU-Pacific interim FTA (2007)
7-Dec-2007
Initialled by Papua New Guinea and Fiji on 23 November 2007
EU-EAC interim FTA (2007)
7-Dec-2007
Initialled by the East African Community (Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Rwanda and Burundi) on 27 November 2007
EU-ESA interim FTA (2007)
7-Dec-2007
Initialled by Zimbabwe and the Seychelles on 28 November 2007 and by Mauritius on 5 December 2007
Nigeria: CSOs seek to halt EU-ACP Economic Partnership Agreement
6-Dec-2007 AllAfrica.com
A coalition of civil society organisations in Nigeria have called on the Federal Government and other members of the West Africa region to refrain from agreeing with the European Commission on the Economic Partnership Agreements in their current state
Africa-Europe - What alternatives?
5-Dec-2007
European and African civil society organizations will meet in Lisbon on 8 to 9 December, in parallel with European Union / African Union Summit.
Cameroon’s Biya supports partial signature of EPAs
5-Dec-2007
Cameroonian President Paul Biya says he is in favour of the signing of partial Economic Partnership Agreements between the EU and the Central African Region.
Senegal opposes EPA
5-Dec-2007 afrol News
Senegal has joined Africa’s economic tigers [South Africa and Nigeria] to openly declare its refusal to sign the Economic Partnership Agreement (EPAs) with the European Union.
EU, GCC fail to end free trade obstacles
3-Dec-2007 Khaleej Times
The Gulf Cooperation Council and 25-member European Union failed on Sunday to overcome obstacles to a free trade agreement that has eluded them for nearly 20 years, the Qatari finance minister said.
East Africa: EPA signed to ’’protect’’ small farmers
1-Dec-2007 IPS
The East African Community signed a framework agreement with the European Union to ensure continued access to EU markets for African small farmers, says Juma Mwapachu, secretary general of the East African regional body.
Solomons agrees to negotiate interim agreement
1-Dec-2007 Solomon Times
Solomon Islands will not sign an interim Agreement if Pacific-ACP countries fail to complete negotiations of the European Partnership Agreement by the end of December. "We should not be rushed or influenced by either regional solidarity or integration to sign any agreement that may prove disadvantageous to our development," Foreign Affairs and Trade Minister Patteson Oti stated.
Sierra Leone to press ahead with EU trade deal
1-Dec-2007 AFP
Sierra Leone will press ahead to sign accords to liberalise trade with the European Union that have been heavily criticised by anti-poverty lobby groups, a minister said on Friday.
European treaty may revive debate over power to conclude investment agreements
30-Nov-2007 ITN
The debate over who in the European Union (EU) holds the legal authority to conclude international investment agreements (IIAs) with non-European countries — the European Community or individual Member States — is set to intensify as the EU Reform Treaty throws dust into an already hazy situation.
EU and Iraq in third round talks for trade and cooperation agreement
28-Nov-2007 BI-ME
The European Union and Iraq are holding the third round of negotiations for a Trade and Cooperation Agreement (TCA) in Brussels from 27-29 November.
Consultations held on India-EU trade pact
28-Nov-2007 The Hindu
Fishermen want 40 varieties in the negative list