Pacific ACP countries keen on single agreement with EU
Radio New Zealand International
Pacific ACP countries keen on single agreement with EU
24 October, 2008
The Pacific members of the African Caribbean and Pacific group of nations that rely on aid assistance from the European Union say they will continue to push for a single Economic Partnership Agreement, or EPA, for the region.
At the two-day meeting of Pacific Trade Ministers this week the Ministers re-affirmed this commitment.
The EPAs are trade and aid deals the EU wants to supplant the current aid arrangements to the ACP group.
Papua New Guinea and Fiji have previously signed temporary bi-lateral arrangements.
The ministers also say a number of significant EPA issues remained outstanding that would require some time to work through.
The ministers are also considering sending a Ministerial Mission to selected European capitals to seek backing for the Pacific states position on the EPAs.
