EU ready to partner ACP states
After 3 days of what was described as "intense and rich" discussions, the European Union (EU) yesterday agreed to adopt a declaration to pave the way for an Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) with African, Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) states.
The partnership, which is expected to come into effect later this year, came out of the ninth regional seminar of the ACP-EU Economic and Social Interest Groups, held at Hilton Barbados since Monday.
At a Press conference yesterday, president of the ACP-EU, Gerard Dantin, said there should be no political obstacles to get in the way of the partnership.
Speaking through an interpreter, the Frenchman noted there remained a number of concerns even though the partnership had been reached, highest on the list being that any EPA should contribute to the development of the ACP, and the eventual eradication of poverty.
He said a number of concerns needed to be addressed, including agreements on transition periods and safeguard measures for sensitive Caribbean products, support for the restructuring of traditional sectors, investment in human resources, and capacity building, and support for fiscal reforms.
"Political and financial support is necessary in order for non-state actors at the regional level to be involved in the monitoring of the implementation of the EPA," Dantin said. He added that a recommendation had been made for a steering committee to be formed in a future body to monitor the implementation of the EPA.
Dantin said delegates had stressed the importance of education, training and job creation with regards to the EPA, and had called for regional and international co-operation in the area of migration, and for continued efforts to overcome gender-based equalities.
George De Peana, of the Caribbean Congress of Labour (CCL), said the ACP should begin dialogue with non-state factors so they would not be left in the dark, then asked to sign an agreement.
He added there was also concern about African countries being behind in negotiations for an EPA. "We (the Caribbean) don't want to be ahead, we want us to be together."
He also warned that EU offices in the region needed to be more approachable and friendly to non-state actors, since there was a perception the EU wanted to only deal with governments.
"They have to understand and appreciate the importance of non-state actors in this exercise. They are legitimate in this process."
De Peana noted the CCL was also concerned about women being left behind in any proposed EPA, and called for training in trade to be desegregated.
Source : The Nation, 05/17/2007
The partnership, which is expected to come into effect later this year, came out of the ninth regional seminar of the ACP-EU Economic and Social Interest Groups, held at Hilton Barbados since Monday.
At a Press conference yesterday, president of the ACP-EU, Gerard Dantin, said there should be no political obstacles to get in the way of the partnership.
Speaking through an interpreter, the Frenchman noted there remained a number of concerns even though the partnership had been reached, highest on the list being that any EPA should contribute to the development of the ACP, and the eventual eradication of poverty.
He said a number of concerns needed to be addressed, including agreements on transition periods and safeguard measures for sensitive Caribbean products, support for the restructuring of traditional sectors, investment in human resources, and capacity building, and support for fiscal reforms.
"Political and financial support is necessary in order for non-state actors at the regional level to be involved in the monitoring of the implementation of the EPA," Dantin said. He added that a recommendation had been made for a steering committee to be formed in a future body to monitor the implementation of the EPA.
Dantin said delegates had stressed the importance of education, training and job creation with regards to the EPA, and had called for regional and international co-operation in the area of migration, and for continued efforts to overcome gender-based equalities.
George De Peana, of the Caribbean Congress of Labour (CCL), said the ACP should begin dialogue with non-state factors so they would not be left in the dark, then asked to sign an agreement.
He added there was also concern about African countries being behind in negotiations for an EPA. "We (the Caribbean) don't want to be ahead, we want us to be together."
He also warned that EU offices in the region needed to be more approachable and friendly to non-state actors, since there was a perception the EU wanted to only deal with governments.
"They have to understand and appreciate the importance of non-state actors in this exercise. They are legitimate in this process."
De Peana noted the CCL was also concerned about women being left behind in any proposed EPA, and called for training in trade to be desegregated.
Source : The Nation, 05/17/2007