Poor nations want to renegotiate trade deals with EU

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ACCRA, Oct 4 (AFP): Leaders of the world's poorest nations resolved to send emissaries to Europe to renegotiate a controversial trade deal as they wrapped up a two-day summit in Ghana yesterday.
African, Carribean and Pacific (ACP) who met for two days in the capital Accra discussed among other issues, trade agreements with the European Union (EU) and the escalating cost of fuel and food.
But they failed to come up with a united conclusion on the potentially divisive Economic Partnership Agreements (EPAs) proposed by the EU and which some ACP countries are still due to sign.
These pacts would require ACP nations to gradually open their markets to European goods in exchange for open access to European markets.
Incoming ACP chairman, President John Kufuor of Ghana told reporters at the end of the biennial summit that it had been decided "to dispatch a troika to Europe to review the EPAs so that they will reflect the mood of the strategic partnership we see with Europe".
The leaders wanted ties "that will leave less of an impression of continuing dependence on the ACP on Europe," he added.
The pacts proposed by the EU are meant to replace existing trade deals giving European countries preferential market access to former colonies, but have been ruled illegal by the World Trade Organisation (WTO).
"In order to smooth the process for the finalisation of the EPA negotiations, the European Commission and its member states must take into account the interests and concerns of all our states," Kufuor said in a written statement.
He said the delegation, comprising leaders of African, the Carribean and the Pacific rim nations, are expected to travel to the EU next month.