Trade negotiations to continue with the EU

Lodewijk Briët, EU ambassador to Africa, stressed the importance of trade negotiations between the and at a recent Fruit and Vegetable Canning Association (SAFVCA) function in Aston, Western Cape. A ccording to Briët, the considers a dual economy and interacts with it on this basis. Therefore, some sectors will receive no trade incentives, while others, such as female entrepreneurs, might qualify for donor money. He also stressed that the remains unconvinced about GM products and Africa should keep this in mind when strategic agricultural planning is done. R egarding stalled trade negotiations with the EU, Jill Atwood-Palm, general manager of the SAFVCA, explained that an agreement has been reached regarding the goods to be traded, but disagreements still exist regarding the rendering of services and the different treatment South Africa currently receives from other countries in the Southern Development Community (SADC) when trading with the EU. Minister of foreign affairs Dr Nkosazana Zuma is currently in high-level talks with other SADC countries regarding the interim European Partnership Agreements (EPA) that have been signed by all members but South Africa. Zuma explained at a recent press meeting that the EU is using strongman tactics regarding the most favoured nation treatment. According to this, African countries must extend all free trade agreements with other countries to the as well. D r Dlamini-Zuma said we can’t allow the to restrict our relations with other countries. Hence Africa’s stance on this matter could lead to a stalemate and cause friction within the SADC, as countries that have signed EPAs are scared of losing free trade access to the EU. – Wouter Kriel