Trade Officials discuss update on EPA negotiations
PRESS STATEMENT (07/08)
22nd February 2008 PACIFIC ACP TRADE OFFICIALS CONSIDER UPDATE ON EPA NEGOTIATIONS WITH EU Pacific ACP Trade Officials considered an update on the Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) negotiations and other trade matters of importance to the Pacific ACP States (PACPS) in the EPA negotiations when they met in Nadi, Fiji on 21 February 2008. The meeting agreed on appropriate recommendations which will be submitted to the next meeting of PACP Trade Ministers (PACPTM) in March on the way forward in concluding a full EPA with the European Commission (EC) by the end of 2008. The meeting had the opportunity to be updated on the development of EPA negotiations in other ACP regions as well as an assessment on the Interim Agreement (IA) initialed by two PACPS, Fiji and Papua New Guinea in November 2007. Officials also considered the issue on the Pacific Agreement on Closer Economic Relations (PACER Plus), as well as the structure and budget proposal for the office of the Chief Trade Adviser for PACER Plus negotiations with Australia and New Zealand. The issue of strengthening trade and economic relations with China and the US was also discussed by Officials. A proposal for the establishment of a single market and economy, initially building on the regional initiatives for pharmaceutical and petroleum products procurement among Forum Island Countries (FICs), was also considered by Officials which would later be taken up to a meeting of FIC Energy and Trade Ministers proposed for March. The meeting concluded with recommendations for the consideration of PACPTM on the issues discussed, including a recommendation on a possible road map of activities for the region to conclude a comprehensive EPA at the end of this year. ENDS. For more information, contact Dr Roman Grynberg, the Forum’s Director, Economic Governance Programme on phone 679 331 2600 or email: romang@forumsec.org.fj or Mr Moses Mose, the Forum’s Trade Policy Adviser on phone 679 331 2600 or email: mosesm@forumsec.org.fj |
2008