Galway - Event Notice
Thursday January 01 1970

Trading down: How the EU locks African countries into Poverty

galway | rights, freedoms and repression | event notice

Monday December 03, 2007 14:42

by Comhlamh - Comhlamh

Talk by Colin Roche (Oxfam Ireland)

Thursday, 6th of December, 7:30 Pm

Galway One World Centre, Bridge Mills, Dominick Street, Galway

An event organized by Galway One World Centre, Comhlamh, Trocaire, Oxfam Ireland and Christian Aid Ireland.

The deadline by which poor countries have to accept EU free trade rules is rapidly approaching. The deals Europe is trying to push on 75 of its former colonies in Africa, the Caribbean and the Pacific are called Economic Partnership Agreements (EPAs). Research and the experience of partners in the South indicate that, in their present form, these deals will be disastrous for poor countries.

The EU is effectively forcing the countries to open up their markets to European companies. Even though many countries have serious concerns about the deals the EU is not listening.

The evening will highlight how these free trade agreements will threaten livelihoods and the ability of poor countries to manage their economies in the public interest and what actions we can take to support the countries.

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Comments (4 of 4)

related link

by C Murray

Mon Dec 03, 2007 19:23

http://www.indymedia.ie/article/84929

The Lisbon negotiations are being blighted by the media spin on Mugabe.
Today the Irish Times are running a poll about Ireland boycotting, Gordon Brown has
already stated that he will not meet with Mr Mugabe. The Lisbon meeting is not about
people not liking Mr Mugabe but the very real problems with penalisation of African Countries
for not engaging in FTA debates. the African countries have accused the EU of being in Breach
of the 2000 Cotonou Treaty and that the bilaterals will increase unsustainability and migrancy.

The links in the above article are to the NGO's and Civil Society discussions on the issue
which is fast becoming a big media issue on one thing which does a disservice to
the whole idea of how to proceed in a sustainable manner.

[btw most Irish people think that Bertie should boycott Mugabe whilst not
taking cognizance of the fact that the African /EU summit involves other countries from
Africa too].

I.T spin

Tue Dec 04, 2007 11:30

This morning Irish Times is carrying a report which has Mc Creevy stating that 'Ireland will be
the laughing stock of Europe if we reject the Treaty'- O so much political substance to that remark.
He is genuinely confronting the issues of how globalisation has effected our basic healthcare
and education Infrastructure.Not to mention the fact that many countries in the Africa's and
civil society groups EU wide have rejected the Reform-Lisbon treaty for what it is-
Architecture for a US bi-lateral trade agreement with the Convention on Rights dropped.

The Lisbon agreement was (according to the Observor) a Sarkozy idea- a remodelling of
the rejected Nice II treaty, maybe people just want better politics and more open debate
on the issues that will effect the next generation. Bruton and Roche are unapologetic
about citing the Treaty has globalised in the forum on europe- a Referendum is just that:
a Chance for people to have their say on issues presented to them in a manner that is
not based on one side of a political argument.Other countries are demanding Referendum
and we have it- the Brits want a Referendum but Brown over-ruled and said
Parlimentary ratification with debate... we do not get debate or exposition we get
branded politics and soundbytes.

Mugabe

by Zim

Thu Dec 06, 2007 22:10

Mugabe should not be attending the summit. Brown is right to boycott it. There are many factors, internal and external, that contribute to the state that Africa is in. One such factor is the oppressive rule of thugs like Mugabe. Neighbouring African nations have failed to condemn him. The West has turned a blind eye to what is going on there, as they have failed to act with Darfur, as they left Rwandans to die in '94...

Zimbabwe was the breadbasket of southern Africa. Now it is the basketcase of the region. Butcher Bob plays the race card when his actions are questioned.

The saddest thing is that there aren't busloads of protestors heading off to this summit. Are tyranny and genocide not reason enough?

If Bush was attending there, quite rightly, would be protests. Prob is it's not PC to protest against Mugabe. That's what he wants, and he always plays the race card when criticized. It reminds me of something Julius Nyere said during the time of Amin, that were Amin white then all of free Africa would be up in arms.

The prime Minister of the Uk

by not disagreeing but read it

Fri Dec 07, 2007 10:35

will not attend the -Africas- Trade Talks in Lisbon because he does not like Mugabe.
Again it is more than Mugabe.
Again The other african nations have accused the EU of Breach of Treaties.
Again the Africa's reject the FTAs that contribute to unsustainable devlopment.

the leader of a Nation such as UK should attend-he is doing a disservice to other countries
and their anger on issues of globalisation.

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Trading down: How the EU locks African countries into Poverty

Comments (4 of 4)