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EU's ex-colonies deny being rushed into trade deals

25 May 2007 17:39:56 GMT
Source: Reuters

BRUSSELS, May 25 (Reuters) - Europe's former colonies do not agree with European anti-poverty campaigners who say poor nations are being forced into new trade deals with the European Union, an African minister said on Friday.

Trade officials from the European Union and the Africa, Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) group of nearly 80 countries drew up a plan on Friday for the final stages of talks on the agreements.

European trade chief Peter Mandelson says the Economic Partnership Agreements, which would remove trade barriers, provide development aid and seek to promote foreign investment, are the best way to fight poverty.

But aid groups say they will be damaging for the former colonies and they accuse Brussels of rushing the talks.

"I hear what you are saying, that there is this attitude by local NGOs that the EU is imposing agreements on the ACP," said Mohlabi Kenneth Tsekoa, the foreign minister of Lesotho which holds the presidency of the group.

"No, to the contrary ... This is a dialogue ... We have put our case very clearly and we continue to do so."

Several non-governmental organisations (NGOs) this week urged the ACP countries not to be rushed into wrapping up the talks by the year-end expiry of a waiver that has allowed their preferential trade deals with the EU to continue, despite being ruled illegal under World Trade Organisation rules.

Privately, some officials from ACP countries say they lack the expertise to carry out the negotiations on their terms.

Mauritius Agriculture Minister Arvin Boolell said his country feared it would not get enough EU funding to offset the impact of changes to its mainstay sugar export trade.

"All of us welcome market access but it has to be seen also to be fair," he said on Thursday ahead of the meeting. "Improve market access, certainly yes, but we have to make sure that development remains at centre of the new agreements."

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Last updated:Fri May 25 17:44:44 2007