bilaterals.org logo
bilaterals.org logo

EU

Time to revive active structures for EPA debate...as civil society and EU disagree on sticking points
13-Sep-2007 Statesman
Amidst controversy, trade liberalisation is fast gaining prominence in Sub-Saharan Africa as the December deadline for the signing of the Economic Partnership Agreement draws near. This is attributed partly to the wave of globalisation, regional and bilateral agreements and mainly, pressure from the World Trade Organisation and the European Union.
Africa: As preferences and commodity trade fails Africa
13-Sep-2007 AllAfrica.com
The Delegation of the European Commission in Ghana has voiced out that its relationship with Ghana and Sub-Saharan Africa based on preferences and commodity trade has largely failed to deliver development and it was time to take the bold step to try something new, the Economic Partnership Agreements.
Gambia: Social Forum demands extension of EPAs negotiation
13-Sep-2007 AllAfrica.com
The Gambia Social Forum demanded the extension of the deadline of negotiations of the Economic Partnership Agreement between the European Union, on the one hand, and the African, Caribbean and Pacific countries, on the other.
Kerala to pressurise Centre on including fish in FTA
12-Sep-2007 New Kerala
The Kerala government is anxiously watching the move by the European Union to import 40 varieties of fish to India, as part of the proposed Indo-EU bilateral FTA, as it would adversely affect the state’s traditional fishing sector.
Africa: EPAs clashing with Everything-But-Arms trade scheme?
12-Sep-2007 IPS
The proposed economic partnership agreements (EPAs), which are due to come into force beginning next year, may undermine the benefits of another European Union trade initiative, called Everything-But-Arms, for the sugar industry.
EU-Asean FTA negotiations unlikely to succeed, says academician
11-Sep-2007 Bernama
A successful free trade agreement between the European Union and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations is unlikely because the Asean nations are unwilling to consider tackling the non-tariff and regulatory barriers, European Centre for International Political Economy’s co-director Razeen Sally said
Draft EU-Pacific EPA (Aug 2007)
3-Sep-2007
EU-SADC EPA: Frustration between EU and SA boils to the surface as trade deadline looms
31-Aug-2007 Engineering News
Frustration is mounting in relations between the European Union and South Africa, in particular, in negotiations for an economic partnership agreement between the EU and the so-called Southern African Development Community group, comprising Angola, Botswana, Namibia, Lesotho, Tanzania and Mozambique.
Pacific: Trade officials deeply concerned about European offer
31-Aug-2007 ABC
Pacific trade officials and legal experts from 14 Pacific Island nations have just spent 3 days examing Europe’s draft agreement in detail and are deeply concerned about the text (audio)
Uganda: Coffee producers are the biggest losers
30-Aug-2007 AllAfrica.com
The pending economic partnership agreement (EPA) between the European Union and developing countries will further exploit Ugandan coffee producers
Japan, EU to study economic partnership agreement
29-Aug-2007 Asahi Shimbun
To keep pace with South Korea, Japan will start joint research with the European Union as early as next month on a possible economic partnership agreement, sources said.
African countries stand up to EU
29-Aug-2007 IPS
Concern over getting too little in return for what they are being asked to give up has led some African nations to say "no" to some proposals for new trade relations with Europe next year.
Kenya: EPAs could delay EU bid
28-Aug-2007 AllAfrica.com
Uncertainty is looming in Kenya’s horticultural sector following the move by the five EAC member states to sign one Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA), which they say could take much longer time than was previously anticipated.
Korea to send draft proposal on FTA with EU
27-Aug-2007 Chosun Ilbo
It will specify when and how much Korea is willing to open its agricultural sector, the most sensitive area in free trade talks.
Tanzania hindering regional trade talks with Europe
26-Aug-2007 AllAfrica.com
The East African Community (EAC) is set to sign an economic pact with the European Union ahead of a December 31 deadline to avoid losing the lucrative export markets in Europe, but Tanzania is yet to agree to the plan, Kenyan official has disclosed.
Malaysia: EU hopes to complete FTA in two years: Ambassador
26-Aug-2007 Sinchew-i
“Malaysia has too many regulations and guidelines which hinders its competitiveness, free market and fair competition" EU ambassador to Malaysia said.
Pakistan seeking parity with India surprises EU envoy
24-Aug-2007 Malaysia Sun
The European Union Ambassador to Pakistan has said that there is a huge difference between India and Pakistan economically, and he is surprised by Islamabad’s demand to be treated equally with New Delhi when asked about the possibility of Pak-EU FTA talks.
The swell of boycott
23-Aug-2007 New Matilda
The Irish Congress of Trade Unions has called for divestment from Israeli companies: a campaign aimed at the European Union, which accounts for two-thirds of Israel’s exports under an EU-Israel Association Agreement. The UN Special Rapporteur on the Right to Food, Jean Ziegler, has said that human rights conditions in the agreement should be invoked and Israel’s trading preferences suspended. This is unusual, for these were once distant voices.
EU-ASEAN: EU upbeat on prospects
20-Aug-2007 The Nation
Asean and the EU started unofficial talks on the free-trade agreement in Vietnam in July. They are scheduled to draw up a modality framework of the free-trade talks in the Philippines next month. This preparation is before Asean holds official negotiations with the EU early next year.
EAC states avert major dispute over trade agreements with EU
20-Aug-2007 East African
A major dispute between partner states of the East African Community has been averted after the parties agreed that all the five members will now collectively sign one Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) with the European Union