Pacific ACP Trade Ministers arriving here for big meet
By RACHNA LAL
As the conclusion for the Economic Partnership Agreement negotiations draws closer, the need for the agreement to be development-oriented has been highlighted.
The Permanent Secretary for Industry and Trade, Shaheen Ali, who is also the chair of the Pacific ACP (African Caribbean Pacific) Trade Officials meeting, has stressed this point.
He made these comments whilst opening the Pacific ACP (African Caribbean Pacific) Trade Officials meeting at the Tanoa International Hotel in Nadi on Monday.
“When we first commenced negotiations, both the European Union and the ACP were in agreement that the Economic Partnership Agreement should be development-oriented,” he said.
Mr Ali said the agreement would form the basis of a new partnership and somewhere along the way, this message for the agreement has been lost.
“As we conclude our negotiations, we need to rediscover this focus and make sure development is not an afterthought, but that it is at the very core of the final Economic Partnership Agreement.”
Finality to 10 years of negotiations
Mr Ali said the Economic Partnership Agreement negotiations has been ongoing for almost 10 years.
“We all know that over the course of this period these negotiations have been fraught with challenges and difficulties,” he said.
“But I believe that we have emerged from the experience stronger and smarter, and that we are better prepared than ever to conclude a successful agreement.”
But, Mr Ali said there is finally a sense of finality to the Economic Partnership Agreement negotiations given the European Union making it clear when it should be wrapped up.
“With the EU’s proposal to withdraw market access regulations 1528 (with amendments to regulations 1528 coming into force) from October 1, 2014, the deadline to conclude the whole agreement process is upon us,” he said.
“We are also faced with the stark reality that apart from time, the Pacific ACP region has also run out of resources to continue the negotiation beyond 2013.”
Importance of conclusion
Mr Ali said it was no secret that for ACP States like Fiji, not concluding negotiations on a full and comprehensive EPA by October 1, 2014, would mean that we would be subjected to less than favourable trade arrangements with the EU.
“Rather than leveraging the collective power of our region, we would be forced to accept what is on the table or what has been given to us,” he said.
“Put simply, it would be a massive opportunity missed for all Pacific ACP States, not just Fiji. We cannot let this happen.
“The Comprehensive EPA will provide a strong basis and legal certainty with respect to the trading relations between Pacific ACP States and European Union.
Without a full EPA, all Pacific ACP States risk not just their trade prospects, especially in the case of fisheries.
“But we also risk our development cooperation relations with the largest economic bloc in the world.”
Setting precedents
Mr Ali stressed the Economic Partnership Agreement would be the first trade agreement with developed countries which is why a comprehensive agreement becomes more important.
“A well-negotiated Economic Partnership Agreement would set an important precedent for all other trade agreements that we are currently negotiating or will negotiate in the future,” he said.
“These include the PACER Plus with Australia and New Zealand and down the line with other partners.”
Credible submission
Mr Ali acknowledged that despite facing difficulties engaging with the EU, all Pacific ACP states have submitted credible offers of market access, matching benchmarks set by the EU.
“However, rather than acknowledging this significant commitment from our small island countries, the EU continues to press for further commitments that we believe are too much, too late in the negotiation process,” he said.
“The Pacific’s level of ambition and drive is simply not being matched by the EU.
“Recently, the EU has failed to keep its promise, made at recent technical talks, to submit a response to our proposals.
“This means that we need to redouble our efforts. It will be us who are going to be the ones that will carry this EPA to the finish line.”
Trade Ministers meet
Meanwhile, after the conclusion of the Pacific ACP Trade Officials meeting today, the Pacific ACP Trade Ministers would then meet at the Tanoa International Hotel in Nadi tomorrow.
The Ministers have started arriving in the country already.
The outcomes of the Pacific ACP Trade Officials meeting would be discussed.
This would be in a bid to move closer concluding the Economic Partnership Agreement.