‘Rushed’ trade talks criticised

Fiji’s decision to walk out of the Pacific-African, Caribbean, and Pacific (PACP) meeting in Honiara this week leaves the EPA negotiations once again in disarray. PNG withdrew in October, when PACP countries met in Brussels. Since then, PACP members agreed to meet and re-strategise. A key issue to be discussed was PNG’s withdrawal. While declaring his country’s position, Fiji’s Trade and Industry Minister Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum, also accused the Forum Secretariat of not representing members’ interests at such important trade talks. Mr Sayed-Khaiyum was quick to point out, though, that Fiji’s decision does not mean they are abandoning their regional neighbours. He says Fiji still believes in a unified approach and wants a comprehensive EPA that is ‘favourable to all parties’ and has ‘development at its core’—key messages of PiPP’s first ever Discussion Starter in June 2008.

This article was written by

Kiery Manassah

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