Brussels, 24/03/2009 (Agence Europe) - On Wednesday 25 March, the European Parliament will give its stance on the Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) with CARIFORUM as well as on a series of “stepping stone” agreements mainly with Côte d'Ivoire and Ghana. The position taken by the rapporteur, British Labour member David Martin, on the EC/CARIFORUM partnership agreement was amply summarised in EUROPE 9842 and in EUROPE 0824.
These agreements are important as they may improve the quality of life of millions of people in the developing countries, David Martin said on Monday 23 March as he opened the plenary debate. The agreements, however, have encountered difficulties in the past due to the sometimes diverging development and trade requirements or the fixing of artificial deadlines for their conclusion. Negotiations “have not been between equals as they should have been”, mainly because they have been conducted by trade specialists whose objective it is to naturally try and obtain the best results for the EU (at this point, Mr Martin said he was stating a fact, not criticising). In the case of CARIFORUM, the agreement has been signed. Hence one can only say yes or no, but the rapporteur underlines that the Commission should give assurance and clarify certain questions of interpretation, in particular concerning the revision clause (which must be a “real” revision clause), financing (amounts foreseen should suffice on condition that they are subject to correct programming and are effectively spent), and access to medicines. One good piece of news is that, in this affair, the Commission has “struck a different note” and Mr Martin compliments it for having done so.
Erika Mann (PES/Germany), who is rapporteur on the stepping stone agreement with Côte d'Ivoire, also invited Trade Commissioner Catherine Ashton to provide guarantees to the people of Côte d'Ivoire concerning flexibility (mainly flexibility of the revision clause), discussion of sensitive issues (to be tackled only if states concerned so wish), recognition of regional differences, and availability of adequate technical aid arriving at the right moment. Erika Mann says this “yes” from the Parliament to the EPA stepping stone agreement does not necessarily mean a “yes” to the final agreement.
Speaking on behalf of the Council, Jahn Kohout highlighted the aims of the EPA: - sustainable development, gradual and regional integration, and quota-free access to Union markets in respect of WTO rules. He went on to point out that the Cotonou Agreements had ended up creating a situation of uncertainty, which was exactly the opposite to what the Union wants in its relations with the developing world. In this new phase, each country is negotiating at its own rate and according to its own needs. If the Parliament is able to say “yes” to these agreements on Wednesday, this, according to the Council president, will be an important sign for the joint assembly that is to be held in Prague in April. Mr Kohout acknowledges, with Parliament, the need for controls, including a cost analysis at the latest five years after ratification. Mr Kohout is convinced that, if all regions approve these agreements, regional integration will be strengthened. The Commission is preparing other interim agreements and is also working on a framework agreement.
Commissioner Catherine Ashton said she hoped MEPs would take a stance on the basis of this debate and not on the basis of preconceived ideas. She urged for what she considers to be “good agreements” as “trade is the servant of development, not the reverse” and because they respect “the dignity of their partners' work and the genius of their ideas”. Unilateral preferences endorsed by the Lomé and Cotonou Agreements have been brought into question 30 years later by the new developing countries, Ms Ashton says, asserting it is therefore necessary to ensure development in compliance with international rules. By also complying with a “moral obligation” towards ACP countries, the interim stage allows “breathing space” for the final stage, she said. She commented that she had inherited this dossier at an advanced stage but that she has been able to speak with many leaders of ACP countries and has called for open and frank dialogue as “we can only succeed if the partnership is based on trust and respect”. In her view, the key to success is the existence of “a shared vision of the future” and an approach “with no imposed dialogue”. For this reason, the discussion on public procurement has already been removed from certain talks and Singapore issues will only be tackled at the request of each interested country. In response to concerns expressed by many MEPs, Ms Ashton assured that “there will be no pressure for the privatisation of public service”, there will be no limit to access to medicines, regional solutions will meet regional needs, safeguard clauses will be applied and regular meetings will be foreseen for specific issues.
Ms Ashton's comments were at least partially able to reassure a fairly large number of MEPs who had taken part in the debate, including French Socialist Kader Arif, who was highly critical of any liberalisation imposed on public services in ACP countries. There was, however, some discontent about the way to proceed (take or leave the agreement) and many MEPs were adamant that partner countries should really be allowed to become masters of their own destiny. British Labour member Glyn Ford raised the question of Zimbabwe and good governance, saying that, if an interim agreement with this country were acceptable, a final agreement should necessarily be subject to a very clear roadmap. The new tone introduced in the debate with the presence of the new trade commissioner was welcomed by many of the representatives, who have the impression they are now being listened to more. (L.G./transl.jl)