The most fundamental question we need to ask is, must
African, Caribbean and Pacific countries relate through Europe?
The agreement is the basis of the EU engagement with
African, Caribbean and Pacific countries, the agreement, requires recipients to ratify the Rome Statute, which establishes the International Criminal Court (ICC).
The deal would result in aid of about $300m to banana growers in certain African, Caribbean and Pacific countries.
The International Centre for Trade and Sustainable Development said: "The new deal on EU banana import tariffs will be a boon to Latin American exporters but would trigger a drop in exports of the fruit from African, Caribbean and Pacific countries."
ActionAid claims that Mr Mandelson is violating a trade and development treaty in a move which could threaten the jobs of millions of poor people in
African, Caribbean and Pacific countries.
But the EU is also the second biggest importer after Russia, because of preferential arrangements made with
African, Caribbean and Pacific countries, which guarantee stable prices.
As a result of Australia's indifference, canned Philippines and Thai tuna fish will be levied a 25% tariff as against zero tariff on fish that comes from some
African, Caribbean and Pacific countries.
October 4, 2008 (KHARTOUM) -- Sudanese official said the European Union Group lobbied the
African, Caribbean and Pacific countries in a bid to dissuade them from including their supportive position to the Sudanese president in the final communiquE[umlaut] of their summit.