Eamon Ryan (Dublin South, Green Party)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 272: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he supports the proposal made by the African Caribbean and Pacific group of countries, formally submitted to the WTO seeking to introduce development aspects and special and differential treatment into GATT Article XXIV in order to allow greater flexibility in economic partnership agreements and negotiations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12901/06]

Conor Lenihan (Dublin South West, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

The European Commission represents the EU member states in the WTO negotiations and has been supportive of the Africa, Caribbean, Pacific, ACP, position in the negotiation group which is looking at the rules governing all regional trade agreements under GATT Article XXIV.

In its submission, the Commission states that regional trade agreements — which include the economic partnership agreements, EPAs, under negotiation between the EU and the ACP states — should support the development efforts of developing countries and promote their participation in world trade. In the Commission's view, the negotiations on regional trade agreements should take account of individual countries' level of development and should clarify the scope for special and differential treatment for developing countries on issues such as the length of the transition period, the exclusion of sensitive products, and the degree of reciprocity between the parties in the elimination of duties and other restrictive regulations of commerce.

Ireland fully supports the Commission's recommendations on regional trade agreements and will continue to work closely with the Commission to ensure that the EPA negotiations result in agreements that are supportive of ACP countries' development needs and their poverty reduction efforts.