28 August 2012: Pacific Islands Forum (PIF) Secretary-General, Tuiloma Neroni Slade, and the African Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) Secretary-General, Mohamed Ibn Chambas, addressed leaders attending the Pacific ACP (PACP) States Leaders Forum, urging them to conclude Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) negotiations with the EU. The PACP meeting convened on 28 August 2012, in Rarotonga, the Cook Islands.

In his address, Slade encouraged Leaders to conclude negotiations with the EU this year, in accordance with Pacific Leaders’ directives. He highlighted the need for commitment and flexibility from both the EU and the PACP countries, and stressed the original intent of the EPA to be “development-friendly” and to facilitate improved arrangements to channel aid for the development of trade. Slade also underscored the importance of trade and cooperation agreements to the broader economic agenda for the Pacific.

Chambas expressed concern at the slow progress on the EPA, noting that the Caribbean already has finalized a comprehensive EPA with the EU. He noted the European Commission proposal to withdraw Regulation 1528 that had guaranteed entry for exports from the ACP countries to the EU market, by January 2014, and urged all Parties to show flexibility. [ACP Press Release] [PIFS Press Release]