Global financial crisis demands halt to EPA signature

Sep 28, 2008 News

…Citizens’ Network urge urgent review of implications
A number of civil society organizations, including trade unions, the private sector, women, farmers, religious organizations, academia and other major groups of society, met twice during the past week to work out a strategy to raise consciousness and support within Guyana and across Caribbean civil society and the European Union.
It was pointed out during the consultations that the current global economic crisis in itself demands a halt before undertaking such an irrevocable step with a major trade bloc.
The Citizens Network is further advocating a postponement of the October 15 signature date of the EPA, to gain time in which all can fully examine the contents and the consequences of the initialled EU-CARIFORUM Economic Partnership Agreement.
The group noted in its call that, while it was mindful of its failure to monitor the process closely, and conscious that the process of national consultation began extremely late, it is believed that this would not justify a failure to act now.
“We have learnt that the agreement suggests that its impact in the near and distant future will almost certainly put at further risk our already fragile Caribbean States….Our organizations took cognizance of the call by OXFAM International for a delay in the final signing by Caribbean Governments, so that the full implications of the EPA could be understood by those who are the stated beneficiaries of this agreement — Caribbean citizens, workers, producers and businesses.”
Despite the ardent calls by civil society in Guyana as well as the Head of State Bharrat Jagdeo, it is very unlikely that the calls would change the position of the European Union.
When contacted recently for a comment on Guyana’s position of a ‘goods only’ agreement with a two-year grace period to fully assess the services aspect of the deal, EC’s Ambassador to Guyana, Geert Heikens, posited 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, which was in violation of the WTO (World Trade Organisation).
According to Ambassador Heikens, if Guyana did not sign on to the EPA by November 1, there would be no trading agreement with 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.
During a recent exclusive interview with operatives of the National Communications Network (NCN), which was aired on NCN, the President 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 their reciprocity.
He, however, failed to achieve a consensus among CARIFORUM leaders recently in Barbados to not sign the agreement as is and to 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 on September 24.
“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.”

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