Dan Boyle (Cork South Central, Green Party)
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Question 132: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs the Government's views on the UK paper on the economic partnership agreements being negotiated by the European Commission with 77 African, Caribbean and Pacific countries; if, in accordance with the concern expressed by the Joint Committee on Foreign Affairs, the Government will join with the UK and other like-minded governments with a view to changing the EU position on EPAs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13840/05]

Conor Lenihan (Dublin South West, Fianna Fail)
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The economic partnership agreements, EPAs, which are to enter into force by 1 January 2008, are an integral element of the legally binding Cotonou Agreement between the African, Caribbean and Pacific, ACP, states and the European Union.

EPAs are first and foremost instruments for development that will foster the smooth and gradual integration of ACP states into the world economy, with due regard for their own political choices and their own development priorities, thereby promoting their sustainable development and contributing to poverty eradication in the ACP countries. They combine trade and wider development issues in a unified framework while taking account of the specific economic, social and environmental circumstances of each regional group and its component states. I am satisfied that this approach addresses the particular concern of Ireland and other member states that development and poverty reduction should be the principal objectives of the EPAs.

I have read with interest the recent UK position paper setting out views on how the commitment to put development at the heart of the EPA negotiations can best be delivered. My understanding is that the paper was designed to promote an open discussion on EPA issues, particularly as the substantive negotiations get under way.

Under European Union regulations, the European Commission conducts the EPA negotiations between the EU and six regional groupings of ACP states on behalf of the member states. The Commission provides the Council with regular updates on the progress of the negotiations. Ireland is satisfied that the Commission is discharging its mandate in accordance with the provisions of the Cotonou Agreement. As in all trade negotiations, the EPA negotiation has brought to light differences of approach between the parties in a number of areas. It is to be hoped that as the talks progress, these divergences can be resolved in accordance with the principles and objectives underlying the negotiations. We are actively following the developments in the EPA negotiations process and will continue to do so.