Denis Naughten (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Fine Gael)
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Question 75: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade his position on EU trade agreements with developing nations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27247/11]

Jan O'Sullivan (Limerick City, Labour)
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The Government recognises that trade is an engine for growth which offers a path to development for those most in need, wherever they live. With increased trade, many developing countries have seen incomes and employment grow rapidly and this has resulted in significant reductions in poverty levels. This understanding is clearly reflected in the EU's trade policy which seeks to promote inclusive growth in the European Union and abroad.

To ensure that trade leads to positive development outcomes, the EU has employed a carefully differentiated approach to its engagement on trade with developing country partners. EU trade policy is helping the poorest economies by providing generous unilateral trade preferences through the Generalised System of Preferences Scheme. This includes the Everything but Arms Scheme which provides duty-free and quota-free access for goods from Least Developed Countries. Other initiatives include the Economic Partnership Agreements, a series of new trade and development agreements which the EU has been negotiating with the African, Caribbean and Pacific group of States since 2002. The goal is to foster development by promoting regional integration, creating opportunities for trade and investment and improving economic governance.

EU trade agreements are designed to create opportunities by opening new markets for goods and services, increasing investment opportunities and making trade cheaper and faster. It is, of course, essential that the EU adapts its strategy carefully to the situation of each partner country.

As Minister of State for Trade and Development, I closely follow the negotiations of EU trade agreements with developing nations. I believe it is essential that all such agreements clearly support the development needs of developing countries, and specifically their programmes to reduce poverty. I am working with our partners to help ensure that the EU's negotiating approach is as flexible as possible under WTO law and that the negotiations, which are led by the European Commission, serve to strengthen the EU's partnership with developing countries.