Rewards Are High If Fisheries Issues Negotiated Well In EPA

Rewards Are High If Fisheries Issues Negotiated Well In EPA

PRESS STATEMENT 22/13

17th May 2013

The Pacific region’s Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) with the European Union could be an important vehicle for sustainable development of our region. This is the message that was conveyed to the Pacific ACP Trade Ministers at their Meeting currently being held in Nadi, Fiji.

“The core objectives of the Economic Partnership Agreement have always been economic development, the reduction of poverty, and the smooth and gradual integration of Pacific ACP States into the world economy” the Secretary General of the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat, Tuiloma Neroni Slade said.

Fisheries resources are the key shared resource common to all the Pacific islands. The fisheries sector has immense potential to contribute significantly to economic growth and development across the entire region. It is therefore important for the region to negotiate a meaningful arrangement in the comprehensive EPA that supports the growth of Pacific fisheries industries.

The Pacific ACP Leaders have directed that the Pacific ACP States conclude a development friendly comprehensive EPA as a single region in 2013. There has been some progress on the technical aspects of the negotiations with the Pacific region showing significant flexibility to reduce the number of outstanding issues. Similar flexibility is required on the part of the European Union to progress the EPA negotiations.

“Issues relating to fisheries remain as one of the most complicated in the negotiations, but the potential for rewards are high if the fisheries aspects in the comprehensive EPA are negotiated successfully,” Mr Slade confirmed.

In anticipation of the conclusion of the comprehensive EPA this year, the Secretariat has been working with regional technical agencies on the implementation of the agreement so that the trade-related constraints that the Pacific ACP countries face in exporting to international markets such as the European Union are addressed.

Mr Slade noted that in this regard the region is seeking support from the European Union in providing the Pacific region development assistance that helps the region in implementing the Agreement. A coordinated approach, through the revision of the Pacific Aid for Trade Strategy, is being undertaken to ensure that resources are consolidated and that development partners such as the EU are able to make firm commitments to meeting the region’s Aid for Trade needs.

The importance of regional economic integration in the Pacific was also emphasised. “Engagements such as the Pacific Island Countries Trade Agreement (PICTA) can drive regional integration through trade. A new momentum and a refreshed commitment to implement PICTA trade in goods and services is necessary”, Mr Slade urged.

Pacific ACP Ministers responsible for Trade are meeting in Nadi, Fiji, on 16 and 17 May 2013, to provide political direction to Senior Trade Officials as they prepare for technical negotiations with the European Commission in late June/early July in Brussels.

ENDS

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