Press statement on the EPA debate

26th November 2007

PRESS RELEASE THE EUROPEAN COMMISSION’S PROPOSED ECONOMIC PARTNERSHIP AGREEMENT (EPA): AN UNFAIR IMPOSITION TO THE DEVELOPMENT OF ACP COUNTRIES

After a careful study and critical analysis of The Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA), which the European Commission (EC) is currently negotiating with 76 counties of the African Caribbean and Pacific (ACP), Tomorrow Leaders Ghana (TLG), a youth organization in Ghana deems it expedient and highly imperative to state that the pressure the EC is exerting on these poor countries to sign the document latest by December 31st 2007 is unfair and unnecessary.

The approach of the EC negotiators is in clear contradiction to the conclusions of the EU Council of Ministers which states that Europe “fully respects the right of all ACP states and regions to determine the best policies for their development”

Unfortunately Europe is undermining the fundamental principle of partnership and misusing its unequal bargaining power in the negotiation room to push what it considers the best development vision for these poor countries

Apart from its unacceptable threats, the use of increased development aid or assistance as lobbying and a bargaining tool in the negotiations severely undermines the sincerity of Europe’s claim to be working in partnership with developing countries.

Why is the EC forcing ACP countries to choose between sudden trade disruptions and Free Trade Agreement (FTA) provisions which could jeopardize their future developments. To us this is highly unjust and unacceptable in a civilized and democratic world

Giving the short time period remaining and the deep problems with the EPA, it is impossible to reach an agreement that adequately addresses the needs of developing countries by 31st December 2007.

It is evident enough that EC has clear interim measures that could be put in place by Europe to remove the pressure from the negotiators and guarantee continued access of ACP exports beyond December 31st 2007

TLG’s concerns are that:

Proposals by the EC to cut tariffs would undermine food security and local manufacturing

The proposed new intellectual property rules would limit the ACP countries for that matter Ghana to educational materials, technology and seed for farmers

The proposed competition rules by the EC will favour only large corporations and investors from Europe instead of facilitating partnership in development

The proposed new rules on government procurement would hinder the government of ACP countries from using its expenditure to stimulate local development

The proposed rules on services could reduce poor people’s access to critical services such as banking and telecom and make ACP countries more vulnerable to financial crises.

The proposed trade liberalization is detrimental to our political and social health and consequently has negative effects on the youth of today

The deliberate attempt to raise tariffs and cut down aid to ACP countries as bait to get the agreement signed is against fundamental principle of justice and a such the pressure mounted on ACP countries be avoided.

In conclusion we wish to state that:

EC as a matter of urgency should consider options of safeguarding the current levels of access to European market for ACP countries whiles negotiations still progresses in a calm atmosphere until an agreement is reached that adequately addresses development.

To provide certainty, Europe should provide all ACP states guaranteed access to the European market in 2008 by adapting Generalised System of Preferences( GSP) Plus and Every thing But Arms (EBA) schemes

We also call on ACP countries and for that matter Ghana government not to sign the EPA until their interest and the concerns raised by TLG are appropriately addressed

Europe must act urgently to change the approach of its negotiation. European importers and ACP exporters need legal certainty to continue their business operations into 2008 without threat to livelihoods.

Signed: Signed: Raymond Ablorh Richard Abbey Jnr Director, Communications Projects Coordinator +233 245 761 509 +233 244 469 369

P.0.Box CT 2205 Cantonment Accra. Location: Opposite Apenkwa Filling Station,Tessano Near Papaye,Accra Tel: 0245 761509 0244 974 939 0245 296 040

TLG is the acronym for Tomorrow Leaders Ghana. TLG is a registered national NGO in Ghana and our mission is to unearth and develop tomorrow's leaders today! P.0.Box CT 2205 Cantonment Accra. Location: Tessano-Near Papaye,Accra Tel: 0245 761509 0244 974 939 0245 296 040