European Union
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Caribbean: Sugar Price Cut Unconscionable, Devastating
CHRIST CHURCH, BARBADOS – “The decision of the EU to proceed with such a hefty price cut is outrageous and unconscionable, and as though to add insult to injury EU beet sugar producers will now receive compensation covering 64.2% (inclusive of an additional €2.2 billion) of the loss incurred by the price cut. In contrast, a meagre €40 million has…
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WTO Rules Against Banana Tariff, Europe Must Negotiate Fair Resolution
CHRIST CHURCH, BARBADOS – A ruling handed down by World Trade Organization (WTO) Arbitrators October 27 on the proposed European Union banana tariff has met with deep shock and disappointment across the Caribbean. The Arbitrators ruled that the proposal would not maintain market access for third country or most favoured nation (MFN) suppliers. The Arbitrators’ ruling determined that “the European…
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Joint CARIFORUM-EU Press Release
CARIFORUM-EU LAUNCH CRUCIAL PHASE OF TRADE AND DEVELOPMENT TALKS The third phase of negotiations for an Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) between CARIFORUM countries and the European Union was launched today in Saint Lucia. CARIFORUM Trade Ministers and European Trade Commissioner Peter Mandelson met on the occasion of the Second CARIFORUM-EC Ministerial EPA Meeting. They adopted the Joint Report on negotiations…
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Sugar, Bananas, Rum Feature In Talks With EC
GROS ISLET, SAINT LUCIA – “For small developing economies, trade is an important mechanism for nurturing economic growth. In the current international trading environment, however, there is a scaling down and in some cases dismantlement of special arrangements for key Caribbean export products. As a result, there has been dislocation in key agricultural sectors.” This was the message delivered by…
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Bernal: Qualitative Shift In CARIFORUM-EU Negotiations Imminent
GROS ISLET, SAINT LUCIA – “CARIFORUM-EU negotiations for an Economic Partnership Agreement are at a propitious juncture, having successfully advanced through two preliminary phases. Emerging from the current Regional Integration phase, both sides have a better understanding of their respective economic spaces, as the two regions move closer to docking. We have had a successful Phase II, and stand ready…
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Caribbean Concerned Over EC Sugar Reform Proposals
CARIBBEAN CONCERNED OVER EC SUGAR REFORM PROPOSALS Steep Price Cuts to have Devastating Effect on Region’s Fragile Economies CHRIST CHURCH, BARBADOS – The European Commission unveiled plans Wednesday (June 22) for an overhaul of the Common Market Organisation for sugar. The Commission reform proposals cut guaranteed prices, totalling 39 percent in the price of white sugar over a period of…
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Civil Society Discusses Caribbean-EU Trade Pact
CHRIST CHURCH, BARBADOS – As part of efforts to strengthen the participation of and dialogue with regional civil society stakeholders as regards CARIFORUM-European Union (EU) Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) negotiations, a Caribbean Non-State Actors (NSA) Network was launched in Barbados, November 13. The regional network of NSAs, embracing private sector umbrella groupings, trade unions, farmers’ associations, consumer groups, academics and…
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CARIFORUM and European Commission Advance Regional Integration Elements of EPA Negotiations
CHRIST CHURCH, BARBADOS – Senior Caribbean and European Commission (EC) officials met in Barbados today, November 12. The encounter marked the Second Meeting of CARIFORUM-EC Principal Negotiators; the first having been convened in Brussels, July 15, 2004. CARIFORUM officials were led by Ambassador Dr. Richard Bernal, Director General of the Caribbean Regional Negotiating Machinery (RNM) and Caribbean Principal Negotiator on…
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Caribbean and EU progress in initial phase of EPA negotiations
Senior EU and Caribbean officials met in Brussels on Thursday 15 July to advance negotiations for an Economic Partnership Agreement which were launched in April. There was a broad understanding on the scope and priorities of the negotiations, which are aimed at promoting sustainable development in the Caribbean through increased trade, investment and regional integration. Agreement was reached on modalities…
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EUROPEAN UNION ASSURES CARIBBEAN (CARIFORUM1) OF SUPPORT ON SUGAR, BANANAS AND SECURITY
European and Caribbean leaders ended an historic meeting here today with the EU assuring the Caribbean that its interests would be constantly borne in mind in deliberations within the EU, and in EU representation in deliberations of the World Trade Organisation (WTO). This, in response to Caribbean concerns about recent developments and the outlook for their key exports of sugar…
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