Unlikely that EPA will change despite President’s stance

Sep 24, 2008 News

The Caribbean Community (CARICOM) Secretariat has written to the European Commission (EC) regarding President Bharrat Jagdeo’s intention to sign a “goods only” Economic Partnership Agreement with that trading block come October 15.
When contacted for a comment on Guyana’s position yesterday, EC’s Ambassador to Guyana, Geert Heikens said that it would be highly unlikely that the agreement in its present form would be changed before any signature.
He also alluded to the fact that there would be a Ministerial Joint Council following the signatures that would oversee the EPA and at that stage any concerns could be addressed and possibly changed.
He noted that the signatures were important to be acquired as soon as possible, given that the EU has already opened its market to duty free and quota free access to CARIFORUM countries in violation of the WTO (World Trade Organisation).
According to Ambassador Heikens, if Guyana did not sign on to the EPA by November 1 then there would be no trading agreement with the Guyana; hence, as is required by the WTO, GSP (Global System of Preferences) will have to be applied.
This will see tariffs being imposed on Guyana’s exports to the EU, making them uncompetitive.
President Jagdeo, during a recent interview with operatives of the National Communications Network (NCN) and aired on that station, said that Guyana’s position of signing a ‘goods only’ agreement with the EU on October 15 was ferried to the EC via a letter by the CARICOM Secretary General, Dr Edwin Carrington.
Jagdeo has long been a vociferous opposition force to certain aspects of the EPA, especially that of services and its reciprocity.
He failed, however, to achieve a consensus among CARIFORUM leaders recently in Barbados to not sign the agreement as it stands and wait until the Summit of African Caribbean and Pacific Countries in Accra, Ghana on October 5 where the EPAs will undoubtedly be on the agendas.
“We have informed the CARICOM Secretariat that we will maintain our position to sign a ‘goods only’ agreement and the Secretary General said he has written to the European Commission informing them of Guyana’s position to sign the goods only part of the agreement, so let’s wait and see about that.”
He told NCN also that he will use the opportunity to discuss his position with some Commonwealth Heads when they meet in New York today. “I am going to talk with the African Heads of state that will be attending the conference and see what they have to say because I will not be able to attend the ACP summit next week.”
The EPA was initialed on December 16 last and replaces the preferential trading agreements with Wu that expired on December 31, 2007.

Latest News

Unlikely that EPA will change despite President’s stance

Related

Similar Articles

The Glenn Lall Show|| March, 17th, 2025

Follow on Tik Tok @Glennlall

THE BLUNT OF THE DAY

Sports

St. Lucia’s Elite Blazers takes aim at FIBA 3×3 World Tour in...

Petra/Milo U18 Football kicks off Round II action...

Track and Field clubs demand nullification of AAG...

Joint Statement from WIPA and CWI on Athlete...

RCNA launches Childhood Obesity Prevention...

FL Sport donates stumps to Meten-Meer-Zorg...

Features/Columnists

Following one’s conscience rather than the crowd

If Guyana’s President Ali is the “Zelensky of the Caribbean”, who is the Putin?

New beginning, or beginning of a nightmare?

Publisher’s Note

Weekend Cartoon

Bridge Watch

Demerara Harbour Bridge

> Berbice Bridge […]

Unlikely that EPA will change despite President’s stance

Share this:

Related

Similar Articles

The Glenn Lall Show|| March, 17th, 2025

Follow on Tik Tok @Glennlall

THE BLUNT OF THE DAY

Sports

Features/Columnists

Publisher’s Note

Weekend Cartoon

Bridge Watch

Demerara Harbour Bridge

> Berbice Bridge […]