From left: Acting Prime Minister and Attorney-General Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum with Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat secretary-general Neroni Tuiloma Slade, Secretariat of the Pacific Community director general Jimmie Rodgers and Samoa deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Commerce, Industry and Labour Fonotoe Lauofo during the Pacific ACP Trade Ministers’ Meeting at Tanoa International Hotel in Nadi yesterday. Photo: WAISEA NASOKIA
By JYOTI PRATIBHA
The European Union (EU) was yesterday given a clear message that their delaying tactics in negotiating the Economic Partnership Agreement would not be tolerated.
Acting Prime Minister and Attorney-General Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum said that instead of acknowledging the progress of the region, counter-productive demands were being made in the last stages by the EU.
Speaking during the two-day trade day Pacific ACP (African, Caribbean, Pacific) Ministers’ Meeting, Mr Sayed-Khaiyum said the European Union needed to be forthcoming.
The meeting is being held at Tanoa International Hotel in Nadi.
He said the Pacific ACP countries had submitted all feedback that was sought by the European Union and that their commitment was evident.
“However, unfortunately this commitment has not been echoed by the Europeans. They have not been forthcoming with their responses to these submissions and seem unwilling or unable to match our drive.
Mr Sayed-Khaiyum said a comprehensive economic partnership agreement would secure the Pacific ACP trade and development relationship with the European Union.
Samoan deputy Prime Minister Fonotoe Lauofo said the Attorney-General’s opening remarks were ‘excellent’.
He said they would be making further comments today.
Fishing and rights of states
Mr Sayed-Khaiyum said the European Union needed to recognise that the Pacific countires had sovereign rights over territorial and archipelagic waters.
He said the countries would not allow the Economic Partnership Agreement to be used to undermine these rights in any way.
“It is not acceptable, therefore, for the EU to try to tie global sourcing for fresh, frozen and chilled fish (as well as global sourcing for processed and cooked fish, which is already granted under the interim EPA) to gain access to our fisheries resources.
“The development benefits of global sourcing are obvious, and therefore global sourcing for these products should be extended to the comprehensive EPA without restriction.”
Collective bargaining
Mr Sayed-Khaiyum reminded the leaders that without a comprehensive agreement, all Pacific ACP countries would risk their trade relations with the EU, which was especially important in the case of fisheries.
“Rather than leveraging our collective power as a region to negotiate our terms, our respective countries would be forced to accept trade agreements that could be altered or revoked unilaterally by the EU.
He said the financial and technical aid from the world’s largest economic bloc was too important for development in the region to leave to chance and uncertainty.
The EPA, he said, needed to be a vehicle for sustainable development for the Pacific.
Through the Agreement, the Pacific needs to utilise its resources to attract onshore investments, encourage value addition, and drive up exports.
An outcome of the meet is expected to be released today.