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When colonies come of age
22-Oct-2007 Fiji Times
As the deadline for a new trade deal with the European Union approaches, the question on people’s minds is: Are developing countries in the Pacific still willing to play?
Farmers get a shield in India-EU FTA
22-Oct-2007 Economic Times
The free trade agreement (FTA) component of the India-European Union comprehensive economic cooperation agreement (CECA) is likely to exclude nearly 150 farm products to shield Indian farmers from increased competition posed by subsidised goods.
’No postponement of EPA deadline’ - EU
20-Oct-2007 AllAfrica.com
The European Union has rejected calls by West African states to postpone the end-of-year deadline for concluding a free trade agreement.
Activists urge govt to stop unfair trade deal with EU
19-Oct-2007 Bernama
Activists held protests Friday and urged the South Korean government to stop "unfair" trade deals with the European Union, as the fourth round of talks on a free trade agreement (FTA) between South Korea and the EU was due to end in Seoul.
EU says SKorea must do more for trade deal
19-Oct-2007 AFP
The European Union on Friday said it was disappointed with South Korea’s offer in talks on a free-trade agreement.
’EU undermining agriculture in Africa’
19-Oct-2007 IPS
Europe is undermining its own efforts to strengthen African agriculture by foisting free trade on the continent, a Ghanaian farm leader has complained.
EU shuns discussion on NKorea enclave at trade talks
17-Oct-2007 EU Business
The European Union has shunned discussions on South Korea’s proposal to include a North Korean industrial park in their proposed free trade agreement (FTA), officials said. Meanwhile, European businesses have warned their leaders not to play politics with trade and exclude the park from any trade agreement with Seoul.
One man protests against FTA agreement
17-Oct-2007 China Daily
A farmer carries a model pig during his one-man protest in front of the hotel where South Korean-EU free trade talks are being held in Seoul
WIDE consultation: ’Bilateral and regional trade agreements and gender’
16-Oct-2007 WIDE
WIDE organises a one-day consultation on EU bilateral and regional free trade agreements and gender. This day aims at providing space for critical reflection and debate on opportunities, challenges, strategies and diverse policy options related to gender and EU trade liberalisation.
East African states to shield domestic industries in EU trade pact
16-Oct-2007 Angola Press
East African Ministers of Trade on Friday agreed to sign the Economic Partnership Agreement (EPAs) with the European Union as a bloc before embarking on detailed negotiations with the Eastern and Southern Africa states.
No port, no sherry and no 15m euros
15-Oct-2007 Business Report
In return for free access to the EU and payment of €15 million, the South African government agreed to phase out the names port, sherry, grappa and ouzo over five years. Five years later, disillusionment and frustration has set in, with port producers in fear that the EU will renege on the agreement.
Korea, EU open 4th round of free trade talks
15-Oct-2007 Korea.net
The EU is demanding that Korea match reductions on beef and car-import tariffs that it granted the US in June.
SAfrica won’t ’roll over’ on services trade with EU
14-Oct-2007 Reuters
The European Union needs to scale down its ambitions for accessing the service sector in southern Africa as it negotiates an economic partnership agreement (EPA) with the region, said South Africa’s deputy trade minister Rob Davies.
Caribbean may sue to reinstate EU sugar deal
12-Oct-2007 IPS
Caribbean Community leaders may try to reinstate the EU sugar protocol through an international court.
Ghana: Industries against signing
10-Oct-2007 AllAfrica.com
The Association of Ghana Industry (AGI) has added its voice to the clarion cry on African governments not to sign the Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) or risk killing local industries.
No deal reached in EU-Caribbean trade talks
7-Oct-2007 Reuters
The European Union and countries in the Caribbean failed to agree on a new trade and investment deal in two days of talks that ended on Friday. EU officials had expected the Caribbean to become the first of the ACP regions to agree to a new deal.
EU to recognise Vietnam having market economy if...
6-Oct-2007 VietNamNet Bridge
"I want to make clear that the EU-ASEAN Free Trade Agreement that we are building is with only seven member nations of ASEAN. Laos and Cambodia have their own trade deals with the EU while we plan to put an embargo on Myanmar," says a member of the European Parliament.
West Africa to miss EU trade partnership deadline
6-Oct-2007 Reuters
West Africa will miss a Dec. 31 deadline to sign a new trade partnership with the European Union and hopes to keep its preferential commercial privileges for up to two years while it negotiates, a West African official said.
EU, Pacific countries to seek interim trade deal
5-Oct-2007 Reuters
The European Union and Pacific countries agreed on Tuesday to seek an interim new trade deal, to enter into force on 1 January, while they continue negotiating an EPA by end of 2008.
EU, India to make major offers on duty cut
5-Oct-2007 The Hindu
EU sees a new readiness on the part of the Indian side which, for the first time, has put poverty reduction, labour standards and environmental protection under the bilateral trade framework.