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Pacific Islands / Pacific Forum


Unequal partners
This paper by Claire Godfrey provides a wide-ranging look at the many problems with the EPAs, and investigates how these could impact on the African, Caribbean and Pacific countries’ future development.
Key issues in Pacific trade negotiations with the EU
This short summary of issues by Barry Coates of Oaxfam New Zealand focuses on the most recent negotiating documents, particularly the draft “legal text” that was prepared by Pacific negotiators after their meeting in June 2006. It aims to provide a “non-technical” overview to inform civil society of progress in negotiations.
The con/dominion of Vanuatu?
A case study that looks at the impacts from liberalisation of the tourism industry in Vanuatu.
Ministers endorse Multilateral Fisheries Partnership Agreement
Pacific Island Countries now have a draft Multilateral Fisheries Partnership Agreement (MFPA) to negotiate with the European Union (EU) as part of the region’s Economic Partnership Agreement(EPA).
A citizen’s guide to an emerging empire
This article is an introduction or guide to PICTA, PACER and the WTO in the Pacific. The ’guide’ gives readers basic knowledge of both trade agreements and the stepping stone function they provide towards the WTO re-colonising the Pacific.
Pacific ACP united against pressure
Papua New Guinea prime minister Sir Michael Somare said that after much negotiation, the European Commission had conceded that not all Pacific ACPs would need to sign up to a single, comprehensive EPA.
Analysis on the PIC’s draft text of Pacific EPA
This is a preliminary analysis of the Pacific Islands’ draft text of the Pacific Economic Partnership Agreement and the EC’s ‘non-paper’ on services and investment.
Overview of bilateral free trade and investment agreements
A general overview of free trade agreements and bilateral investment treaties that have been signed or are being negotiated all over the world. Organised by region, it provides a snapshot of the many processes currently under way, some of the controversies they raise and opposition movements against these agreements.
10 reasons to challenge the Pacific EPA
Do the Pacific Islands’ negotiators genuinely hope they can negotiate a beneficial Economic Partnership Agreement with the European Union or are they simply going through the motions and doing what is required of them under the Cotonou Agreement 2000? In the secretive chess game of trade negotiations it is impossible to know.
Trade furore: Pacific solidarity thrown into disarray
Concerns are growing that the key bargaining chip for the islands of the Pacific with the European Union (EU) is fast eroding. This follows a decision by the Federated States of Micronesia (FSM), Kiribati and the Solomon Islands to continue their bilateral fisheries agreements with Europe despite a collective decision for the Pacific to negotiate as a group.
Opening of the 9th Roundtable Meeting for Pacific Island Countries on WTO and Regional Trade Agreements
Jim Anderton opened the 9th Round Table meeting for Pacific Island Countries on WTO and regional trade agreement provisions in Wellington today. He stressed that although currently only three Pacific Island Countries are WTO members, it is important to become part of the multilateral trade system.
ACP want additional resources from EU
Pacific Island countries want the European Union to allocate additional resources to cover the costs of the regions adjustments when the Economic Partnership Agreement comes into effect.
Pacific ACP trade ministers meet in Nadi, Fiji
The Pacific ACP Trade Ministers Meeting was held in Nadi, Fiji, on 19 and 20 June 2006.
Is the Pacific ready for trade talks?
Pacific Trade Ministers begin annual talks in Fiji on Wednesday, amid claims New Zealand is pressuring Pacific Forum countries into starting free trade negotiations they are not ready for.
EU promises are hollow: Pacific society groups
Civil society groups from 12 Pacific countries meeting in Nadi, question what’s in it for the Pacific in negotiations on a Pacific Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) with the EU.
Pacific Island states work on deal with Europe
One plus four looks like a simple mathematical equation. But Pacific trade negotiators will be quick to tell you that it is everything but simple. It is the proposal islands countries are hoping will form part of their economic partnership agreement (EPA) with the European Union.
Economic Partnership Agreement talks look at labor mobility to Europe
Negotiations for possible movement of labour from the Pacific to Europe is part of discussions under the proposed Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) currently underway.