Denis Naughten (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Independent)
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Question 30: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the progress being made on bilateral economic partnership agreements between the EU and third countries; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33491/12]

Joe Costello (Dublin Central, Labour)
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Since 2002, the EU has been negotiating a series of new Economic Partnership Agreements with the African, Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) States. The Agreements are required as a result of World Trade Organisation (WTO) rulings that the unilateral trade preferences previously granted to the ACP countries established unfair discrimination between developing countries. Several years ago, there were well-founded concerns that momentum was being lost in the negotiations and that the original shared commitment to the achievement of Agreements which serve the development needs of African countries was being lost. However, agreement was reached at the EU-Africa Summit in November 2010 that both sides should move "to conclude Economic Partnership Agreements that support socio-economic development, regional integration and the integration of Africa into the global economy".

The European Commission last year engaged actively and flexibly in renewed negotiations with the ACP countries at the regional level. The Commission also made a proposal in September, which is under consideration by the European Parliament and the Council of Trade Ministers, to set a deadline of 1 January 2014 for the conclusion of the negotiations.

The Government has at all stages made it clear that Ireland supports a negotiating approach that is as flexible as possible under WTO law and underlines the importance of a strong partnership approach. Both EU and African leaders have recognised clearly the potential benefits of these Agreements and, at their meeting in March, the EU Trade Ministers acknowledged the need for flexibility and pragmatism on both sides to find solutions to outstanding issues.

Ireland will continue to work with our partners for Agreements which clearly support the development priorities and needs of the African countries. During our Presidency of the EU next year we will engage positively with the relevant EU institutions on these negotiations.