Statement from Trade and Development Minister Gareth Thomas on Economic Partnership Agreements
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"Last Saturday (22 September) I met with Development Ministers from across
the European Union to discuss
Economic Partnership Agreements.(EPAs) with Commissioners Peter Mandelson
and Louis Michel. I have also written to EU Trade Ministers to set out the UK's
views.
The UK has consistently argued that EPAs should bring new benefits to African,
Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) countries by contributing to regional development,
economic growth and poverty reduction. We have continued to provide financial
and technical support to the ACP to help them negotiate their side of EPAs.
We want the ACP’s exports to enjoy access to the EU market without facing any
duty or quota, and less complicated export rules ( Rules
of Origin) from 1st January 2008 when
Cotonou
arrangements end. We therefore welcome the Commission’s good market access
offer which provides duty and quota-free access but wishes to see further
improvements in the Rules of Origin.
We are urging both sides to make every effort to reach agreement this year. I do
not agree with those who have called for the negotiations to be extended by up
to three years. Nor does the UK accept that ACP countries should find themselves
worse off after the end of 2007. This would be the case if either
GSP
or GSP plus is put in place.
Although time is short, we think it is possible by the end of the year to agree
outline EPAs, which focus solely on trade in goods, which deliver duty-free,
quota-free access for the ACP on 1st January 2008. For some regions, this means
leaving other issues aside until later. We recognise that some ACP regions have
decided to negotiate services and investment, whilst for others this can be
dealt with in slower time, if they choose to do so."
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25 September 2007
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