Guyana will hold out on signing the Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA), unless Cariforum countries and the European Union (EU) agree on a declaration recognizing pre-conditions, including a review every five years.
President Bharrat Jagdeo yesterday told reporters at a press conference at the Office of the President (OP) that he was doubtful of Guyana signing the agreement on October 15, in Barbados. Jagdeo said: “If the declaration includes faithfully the two clauses that we suggested I may reconsider this position.”
According to Jagdeo, the first clause suggests that in its implementation should any of the provisions of the EPA conflict with the Revised Treaty of Chaguaramas the revised treaty would take precedence, thereby safeguarding the regional integration process. The second clause suggests that there be a review of the EPA every five years to look at the socio-economic impact of the agreement on the people of the region and a commitment by Europe to address the adverse impact.
“I suggested that as a fall-back provision under which Guyana could sign,” he said, adding that “We are constantly seeking ways to improve the agreement, not for Guyana, but for the sake of the whole region.”
At present, he said it requires members of Cariforum – Caricom countries and the Dominican Republic – to say they would sign onto the two clauses contained in the declaration. Asked whether Guyana’s position on the EPA, which is not widely supported in Caricom, could lead to Guyana reviewing its membership within Caricom, the President said Guyana will always be a member of Caricom and a strong one. Nevertheless, he had strong words for Cariforum, which he chided for going ahead even while ACP leaders continue to push for a troika to meet with high level EU stakeholders on the EPA by the end of this month. He said it was a slap in the face and undermined ACP solidarity.
Jagdeo, however, said he would not allow a setback on one issue to daunt him. There may be differences of opinion but he reiterated that he feels the EPA was a bad agreement and some countries while not publicly supporting his view would privately do so. “I can’t hold the future of the people of this region hostage, based on my current likes and dislikes,” he said.
Cariforum and the EC are scheduled to sign the EPA at the Sherbourne Hotel in Barbados on Wednesday, October 15. Stabroek News understands that with the exception of Guyana the invitations to attend the signing have been acknowledged by other member states. Guyana is still to respond.
According to a July 23, 2008 release from the EU Trade Commission in Brus-sels, the current Generalised System of Preferences (GSP) arrangements that govern EU trade lapse at the end of 2008. Any country which wishes to receive GSP preferences from January 2009 will have to submit an application before 31 October, 2008. This applies to EU trading partners in the ACP grouping which includes Cariforum countries. The GSP is applicable for periods of three years after which it is renewed.
