African trade talks face suspension

African trade officials this week (14 February) warned that trade deals being negotiated with the EU might not be completed by the end of the year and that the current preferential system for their goods must continue.

The statement followed months of difficult negoti-ations with the European Commission over the Eco-nomic Partnership Agreements (EPAs), with developing countries accus-ing the EU of not respond-ing to their proposals.

"In order to prevent the disruption of trade already taking place…the EU [needs] to commit itself to a temporary continuation of the current trade preference regime as the negotiations are being completed," the trade officials said after they met in Nairobi.

Last week European Trade Commissioner Peter Mandelson and Development Commissioner Louis Michel met representatives from west and central African states in Brussels and warned that the current legal system of trade with the African, Pacific and Caribbean states (ACPs) could not continue because of a ruling that it did not comply with World Trade Organization regulations.

"The same scheme cannot apply. We are already enjoying a waiver by the WTO," said a Commission spokesman. He added that the commissioners had assured the African states that trade preferences for certain sectors would continue.

Some ACP countries and non-governmental organisations accuse the Commission of pressuring states into signing deals by the end of the year and yet not even responding to their negotiating demands. "The European Commission has been playing hardball over recent weeks, refusing to grant extra time, and issuing warnings about the negative results of not signing," said a statement yesterday by a coalition of NGOs, including ActionAid International and Oxfam International.

African trade officials this week (14 February) warned that trade deals being negotiated with the EU might not be completed by the end of the year and that the current preferential system for their goods must continue.