Arthur Hall, Senior Staff Reporter
After months of heated debate and contentious negotiations, representa-tives of at least 13 regional states are now in Bridgetown, Barbados, for the long-delayed signing of the controversial Economic Partner-ship Agreement (EPA) between CARIFORUM and the European Union (EU).
Jamaica's delegation to Bridge-town is led by Foreign Affairs Minister Dr Ken Baugh, who will sign the agreement despite strong criticisms from the Opposition People's National Party (PNP).
The PNP, which was in government during most of the negotiation of the EPA, now argues that the Bruce Golding administration should not sign because the agreement gives all the advantage to the EU.
Less attractive
The Opposition has focused its vitriol on the 'Most Favoured Nation' clause, which it claims would make the region less attractive to Third-World countries.
But those concerns have not fazed the Golding administration, which argues that the EPA presents Jamaica and the region with a golden opportunity for the benefit of its people.
The Government received a fillip yesterday when news came that Guyana seemed set to reverse its decision to sign a 'goods-only' deal and join the other 13 states adding their signatures to the agreement, which has been in the making since 2004.
Caribbean ambassadors, along with representatives of the European Commission in Brussels, were active over the past week to resolve differences in the proposed joint declaration after Guyana threatened to sign the 'goods-only' deal.
The joint declaration, expected to be released today, should reflect Guyana's drive to effect a compromise acceptable to all parties.
Safeguarding
Two key points sought by Guyana include the full safe-guarding of the aims and objectives of the CARICOM Single Market and Economy and the mandatory review of the EPA not later than five years after the date of signing and at subsequent five-year periods.
If Guyana signs today, that would leave Haiti as the only member of CARIFORUM not adding its signature to the document.
Initially, the signing ceremony was set for June, but it was delayed twice amid mounting opposition from civil society, members of the academic community and some political leaders.
But supporters of the EPA have urged CARIFORUM leaders to sign quickly, arguing that while the agreement was not perfect it was the best the region could negotiate.
arthur.hall@gleanerjm.com
EPA highlights
| 1) | The EPA reaffirms a commitment to the use of international environmental standards. |
| 2) | For all products originating in CARIFORUM countries and exported to the EU (other than rice and sugar), the agreement has brought about a duty- and quota-free access regime as from January 1, 2008. |
| 3) | Access for CARIFORUM rice will be duty and quota free after a transition period of two years ending on December 31, 2009. |
| 4) | For sugar, access will be duty- and quota-free from October 1, 2009, subject to a transitional automatic safeguard mechanism until September 30, 2015.
Main contentions with the EPA 1) | It will lock the region into an agreement that will lose its relevance as world conditions change. |
| 2) | The Most Favoured Nation clause will restrict the region's relationship with other countries. |
| 3) | It could lead to a lockdown of small regional entities unable to compete with massive European firms. |
What is the EPA?
The EPA covers trade in goods, services and investments, and provides for development assistance to CARIFORUM countries. Under the proposed reciprocal pact, these countries will have access to markets in the European Union (EU) and will also enjoy the duty-free right of entry to EU member countries.
CARIFORUM countries:
Antigua and Barbuda
Bahamas
Barbados
Belize
Dominica
The Dominican Republic
Grenada
Guyana
Haiti
Jamaica
St Lucia
St Vincent and the Grenadines
St Kitts and Nevis
Suriname
Trinidad and Tobago
