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While much has been accomplished in the last twelve months, enormous challenges still remain for 2009: no interim EPA led to a full Agreement by the end of 2008, many African and Pacific states remain sceptical of the negotiations process, and the global economic crisis threatens to impede economic growth and development aims achieved thus far. But the start of the New Year is a time for rejuvenation and looking ahead.
For many ACP states, hope has come in the form of a new EU Trade Commissioner. Appointed in October and leading the way into 2009, Baroness Catherine Ashton has promised to bring flexibility and understanding to the negotiations. To find out her own thoughts about the EPAs, where they have been, where they are headed, and how she will fulfil these promises, TNI asked Baroness Ashton directly. Our lead story of this issue is that exclusive interview.
Further laying out the road ahead, Glenys Kinnock examines in this issue the battles that must be fought and won during the 2009 EPA negotiations. In this piece, she outlines the challenges that persist and how they can – and indeed must – be overcome for the greater good of the ACP and the EU.
One such challenge facing the ACP is the creation of provisions that affect these states but are established without their input. Abdoulaye Diagne examines one such provision: the recently passed EU regulation that aims to limit illegal, unregulated, and unreported fisheries. In his piece, Diagne effectively considers the implications and challenges of such unilaterally established regulations.
Continuing our coverage of the CARIFORUM EPA, TNI considers the implications of the Agreement on a sector not immediately associated with trade and development: cultural industries. Here, we include two pieces on how creative sectors can benefit trade and development, and on what the Caribbean must do if this industry is to capitalise on provisions in the EPAs that will help stimulate economic growth for the region.
Finally, the issue wraps with a hot topic of the day: climate change and the environment. In our final two articles, Paolo Ghisu and Ronnie Hall examine how trade can either undermine or support sustainable development initiatives and economic growth.
As always, comments are welcomed and can be addressed to czaino@ictsd.ch
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