EU deadline for EPAs regrettable - Schlettwein

New Era, 25 Apr 2013 - Story by Edgar Brandt

The EU Parliament's deadline of October 01, 2014 on which the African, Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) countries that have not signed the Economic Partnership Agreements (EPAs) will forfeit their preferential market access into the EU, has been described by Trade and Industry Minister, Calle Schlettwein, as regrettable.

"This approach taken by the EU goes against the letter and spirit of what is supposed to be a partnership and is regrettable. It also has the potential of placing undue pressure on the negotiating processes. I therefore reiterate my concern over this unilateral step by a negotiating partner," said Schlettwein yesterday at the opening of a two-day national consultation on the Southern African Development Community (SADC) and EU Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) negotiations. read more....