EU urges signing of trade deals

In an open letter to anti-poverty campaigners, September 2007, European Commissioners Mandelson and Michel have urged them to support the EU's Economic Partnership Agreements with African, Caribbean and Pacific regions. In the letter Mandelson and Michel set out the arguments for a new approach to trade relations between the EU and African, Caribbean and Pacific regions. They argue that the WTO's end-of-year deadline for agreeing new arrangements cannot be missed if Europe and the ACP are to ensure that ACP countries retain the best possible access to the EU market, without fear of legal challenge from non-ACP developing countries.

• Primary Source

European Commission: Press Release, 27.9.07: Mandelson and Michel urge anti-poverty campaigners to back Economic Partnership Agreements http://ec.europa.eu/trade/issues/bilateral/regions/acp/pr270907_en.htm

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