Boletin- Bilaterals

BILATERALS.ORG WEEKLY

bilaterals.org weekly | 16-22 Oct 2009

the following were posted on www.bilaterals.org in the past week

------------------------------ NEGOTIATIONS ------------------------------

Trade ministers to begin talks on Pacific deal | 22-October-2009
Trade ministers from Australia, New Zealand and Pacific island countries will meet in Brisbane for two days from Friday as negotiations are launched for the Pacific Agreement on Closer Economic Relations (PACER-Plus).
Key to join free trade talks with Asean nations | 22-October-2009
New Zealand Prime Minister John Key will be asked this weekend to sign up to an ambitious bid to create what could become the largest multi-national free trade agreement in the world.
Lack of transparency and debate in India-EU free trade agreement | 22-October-2009
The total lack of transparency, democratic process and public debate on the India-EU FTA highlighted
TLC Perú-EFTA entraría en vigencia este año | 22-October-2009
El capítulo de servicios marítimos, que Noruega había planteado reabrir porque no lo satisfacía plenamente, está a punto de quedar destrabado.
Entra en vigor acuerdo comercial hacia TLC entre Guatemala y Belice | 22-October-2009
Un Acuerdo de Alcance Parcial, que libera el comercio de unos 75 productos entre Guatemala y Belice, entrará en vigor esta semana, como antesala a la firma de un posible TLC entre ambos países.
EE.UU. descarta TLC con Uruguay | 22-October-2009
La Encargada de Negocios de EEUU en Uruguay descarto ayer en una conferencia en Montevideo la posibilidad de que su país pueda hacer ahora un TLC con Uruguay.
Perú: TLC con Corea está en tramo final y sólo falta acordar Mesa de Acceso al Mercado, afirma Mincetur | 22-October-2009
Las negociaciones del Tratado de Libre Comercio (TLC) con la República de Corea están en el tramo final pues sólo falta llegar a un acuerdo en la Mesa de Acceso al Mercado.
Perú y Japón impulsarán negociaciones para TLC | 22-October-2009
Perú y Japón darán un impulso político a sus negociaciones para un TLC con la visita que efectuará en noviembre el presidente Alan García al primer ministro japonés Yukio Hatoyama en Tokio.
Free-trade deals are a losing gamble | 21-October-2009
In every Australian free trade agreement the results have been dismal.
EU gives ASEAN 4.5 million euros for intellectual property project | 21-October-2009
The money will serve to train IPR enforcement agencies and introduce protection for geographic indications, in the context of an eventual EU-ASEAN FTA
USTR releases preliminary analysis of Korea-EU free trade agreement | 21-October-2009
There is no investment chapter or investor-state dispute settlement provisions in the Korea-EU FTA (competency for investment matters rests with the individual EU Member States), whereas KORUS features investor protections.
Look East policy comes of age | 21-October-2009
This is an important week for Prime Minister Manmohan Singh. Over the weekend, at the Fourth East Asia Summit in Thailand, he will witness the final fruition of the second most important foreign policy initiative he took during his first term in office — the India-Asean Free Trade Agreement.
Giant new Asian trade deal on agenda | 21-October-2009
Prime Minister John Key will discuss a new Asia-wide trade agreement in Thailand this weekend.
Free-trade deals are a losing gamble | 21-October-2009
Horse racing’s spring carnival is upon us. It is the only time when most Australians bet on the horses. After our experience of the past year, many people would think that stockmarket and financial-derivatives investment is not that different to a punt on the Melbourne Cup. There are always a lot of predictions based on form analysis but most of us find a way to lose money on the day.
US presses for TIFA | 20-October-2009
Visiting US assistant trade representative Michael J Delaney has stressed that Dhaka sign a Trade and Investment Framework Agreement (TIFA) with his country to increase bilateral trade. But it’s a controversial issue in Bangladesh.
S.Korea-EU FTA indicates European beef imports may resume | 20-October-2009
According to a draft of the free trade agreement between South Korea and the European Union, once the FTA takes effect, European beef that has a higher risk for mad cow disease than U.S. beef could be allowed into the country.
India, Indonesia set to launch talks for FTA | 20-October-2009
After signing India-ASEAN Free Trade Agreement as one of the 10 members of the bloc, Jakarta and New Delhi are set to launch negotiations for a similar bilateral deal to open trade in goods and services.
Seventh ALBA Summit prioritises the planet and developing nations | 20-October-2009
ALBA countries signed an agreement to implement the common currency "Sucre" (Unified System of Compensation of Reciprocal Payments). The point of the new currency is to use it instead of the US dollar for commercial exchange between member countries.
Planteamiento político de las mujeres dirigido a la Cumbre de la Alianza Bolivariana para los Pueblos de Nuestra América –ALBA- | 19-October-2009
Nosotras, que participamos activamente en las luchas y resistencias contra los proyectos de integración pautados por el capital, reconocemos a la ALBA como expresión de la búsqueda de un proyecto propio, en el cual los movimientos sociales y los pueblos, con nuestra participación activa, podamos contribuir y consensuar un proceso de construcción de sociedades alternativas.
Acuerda Alba defender medio ambiente | 19-October-2009
Seis países sudamericanos comparten la Amazonia, una vasta área de jungla, considerada el principal pulmón del planeta.
El Mercosur y la Unión Europea retoman las negociaciones para alcanzar un acuerdo comercial | 19-October-2009
Tras el freno de la Ronda de Doha y en medio de una incipiente recuperación tras la crisis mundial, enviados de ambos bloques discuten un pacto comercial en la capital portuguesa.
Activistas sociales colombianos critican en Alemania TLC con Europa | 19-October-2009
Activistas sociales de Colombia pidieron hoy aquí a la Unión Europea y a Alemania exigir más garantías de derechos humanos al gobierno colombiano en las negociaciones sobre un Tratado de Libre Comercio.
Eliminarán patentes de medicinas y agroquímicos en Ecuador | 19-October-2009
Correa subrayó que las empresas farmacéuticas y agroquímicas impulsaban los Tratados de Libre Comercio (TLC), porque ahí se les garantizaba que a través de las patentes tengan el derecho exclusivo a comercializar ciertos productos.
Chile y países Consejo Cooperación del Golfo negocian TLC | 19-October-2009
Chile y los países del Consejo de Cooperación del Golfo (CCG) Pérsico negocian un acuerdo de libre comercio para afianzar las relaciones comerciales y dar presencia económica al país suramericano en la región.
La UE confía en que Ecuador se reincorpore a la negociación "próximamente" | 19-October-2009
El encargado de negocios de la Unión Europea en Ecuador confía en que el país se reincorpore "próximamente" a las negociaciones multipartes con Europa. Apunta a que, "antes de finales de año", pueda llegarse a un acuerdo sobre el arancel del banano.
Principios Fundamentales del Tratado de Comercio de los Pueblos - TCP | 19-October-2009
"Los TLCs profundizan las desigualdades comerciales exaltando la competencia entre las empresas y países desigualmente desarrollados, buscando que los países pobres sigan siendo mono productores y mono exportadores, liberalizando sus mercados."
AMCHAM chief rules out FTA renegotiation | 19-October-2009
The new chief of the American Chamber of Commerce in Korea said Monday that the long-stalled Korea-US free trade agreement will not undergo renegotiation, but didn’t rule out "further bilateral discussions" regarding provisions related to the auto sector.
ALBA Alimentos to dodge food crisis | 19-October-2009
ALBA Alimentos will emerge as a grand national project aimed at fighting the regional food crisis, said Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez at the 7th Summit of the Bolivarian Alternative for the Americas (ALBA).
Sri Lanka pressed by USTR on IP protection, GM food | 19-October-2009
The United States has asked Sri Lanka, ranked high for software piracy in Asia, to better enforce intellectual property rights and also lift restrictions on American imports like genetically modified food.
Sri Lanka may lose clothes trade benefits for alleged human rights abuses | 19-October-2009
The European Commission is all set to recommend withdrawal of trade benefits from Sri Lanka after allegations of large scale violation of human rights surfaced during the last stages of the civil war against the LTTE.
L’adhésion de l’Algérie à la ZALE n’a pas été profitable | 19-October-2009
Dix mois après l’entrée en vigueur de cet accord contesté par le patronat, c’est l’heure d’un premier bilan.
ECFA won’t bring laborers: premier | 19-October-2009
Premier Wu Den-yih said yesterday that the government would not open the Taiwanese market further to Chinese agricultural products and would not allow the entry of Chinese laborers under the proposed cross-straits FTA, while avoiding questions about how long the bans would be in place.
Syria asks to delay signing of EU partnership agreement | 19-October-2009
Syria on Sunday asked to postpone the signing of an economic partnership agreement with the European Union, following disputes over provisions covering human-rights and political reform.
EU trade talks stuck on butter | 19-October-2009
As 200 officials from Europe and Canada gather in an Ottawa meeting room Monday to begin the most comprehensive trade talks in Canadian history, there is great fear on both sides that the whole thing could become bogged down over the price of butter.
EU-India’s free trade deal is still in the talking stage | 19-October-2009
Two years after the European Union and India began negotiating a Free Trade Agreement that has enemies in both places, the talks are continuing with the hope of concluding by the end of the year, but not in time for the EU-India Summit in New Delhi on Nov. 6.
Pakistan and EU to explore possibility of FTA: talks begin on October 20 | 18-October-2009
Islamabad and the 27-member European Union will start negotiations on a possible free trade agreement, an unfulfilled dream of Pakistan, with a meeting on 20 October.
ALBA strengthens trade alliance, ratifies struggle against the “empire” | 18-October-2009
The 7th Summit of the ALBA approved new steps for strengthening its model of “just and complementary trade” and ratified its struggle against “threats from the empire”
Chavez-led bloc plans to create agriculture, mining businesses | 18-October-2009
The Alba trade bloc, led by Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez, agreed to create regional mining and agriculture businesses as the group concluded a second day of talks in Bolivia.
Pakistan: EU’s dilemma | 17-October-2009
Pakistan’s repeated requests for a free trade agreement come at the right time: the EU has switched focus from the uphill struggle to conclude the Doha trade round of World Trade Organisation negotiations to a quest for bilateral pacts.
EU grabs Korea trade pact that was ours | 17-October-2009
"For Europe, the deal with Korea was easy. The US had already negotiated a trade pact of its own that was ready to go in 2006. Details of the EU-Korea treaty are nearly identical, so it’s obvious the Europeans just Xeroxed the US-Korea pact and will now walk off with the spoils," write a US business journal.
APE-Négociations sans fin ? : Les raisons d’un nouveau report de la signature | 16-October-2009
Fin octobre 2009, c’est la date à laquelle l’Afrique de l’Ouest et l’Union européenne étaient convenues pour signer l’Accord de partenariat économique. Mais les deux parties ne sont pas prêtes pour signer.
Jean Charest rêve de libre-échange | 16-October-2009
La ratification d’un accord de libre-échange entre le Canada et l’Union européenne propulserait le Québec à l’avant-plan, selon le premier ministre Jean Charest, qui a vanté les mérites de ce projet sur de nombreuses tribunes ces dernières années.
Perú: avanzan negociaciones para libre comercio | 16-October-2009
El Gobierno peruano continúa respaldando a la industria pesquera peruana mientras avanzan las negociaciones de los TLC con la UE, Japón y Corea, aseguró la titular del Ministerio de la Producción.
UE y República de Corea inician tratado de libre comercio | 16-October-2009
La Unión Europea inició en Bruselas el jueves un TLC con la República de Corea, el cual es visto como el tratado "más importante" que se ha negociado entre la UE y un tercer país.
Spain urges Namibia to join EU party | 16-October-2009
The European Union, through its Spanish chair, has made an impassionate plea for Namibia to sign the interim Economic Partnership Agreement saying this will accelerate the country’s economic growth.
Zambia: Economic Partnership Agreements - for the rich or poor? | 16-October-2009
The signing ceremony of the Economic Partnership Agreement between the European Union and the East and Southern Africa Bloc to which Zambia belongs, raised some eyebrows, but also drew attention to something deeper when Zambia and other members refused to sign.
S.Africa sugar producers hopeful of EU trade deal | 16-October-2009
Durban-based Illovo Sugar — Africa’s biggest producer, majority-owned by British Sugar — said it plans to raise output by 50 percent to nearly 3 million tonnes in the next five years to cash in on the new tariff-free EU access.
Taiwan hopes to sign cross-strait trade pact as soon as possible | 16-October-2009
Taiwan hopes to sign an economic cooperation framework agreement (ECFA), similar to a free trade agreement, with China as soon as possible: next year, if not earlier.
EU-Korea trade deal puts pressure on Obama to act | 16-October-2009
President Barack Obama faced increased pressure on Thursday to win approval of a free trade deal with South Korea after the European Union locked up its own pact with Asia’s third-largest market.

------------------------------ KEY ISSUES ------------------------------

U.S.-Canada Regional Economic and Energy Integration | 19-October-2009
Trilateral initiatives, such as NAFTA and the Security and Prosperity Partnership (SPP) have further advanced North American integration. It is also at a state and provincial level that regional integration is being achieved in areas of trade, the environment and energy.
Chile asks for revision of FTA | 19-October-2009
Chile has asked for a revision of the Korea-Chile free trade agreement, the Korean Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade said on Sunday. Chile wants Korea to open its agricultural market wider.
Asia-Pacific businesses losing interest in Doha | 19-October-2009
Businesses are becoming less interested in the World Trade Organization’s attempts to forge a global deal as long-standing talks have yet to yield results, a private sector group affiliated with the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation warned late last week.
US aims for bilateral climate change deals with China and India | 17-October-2009
Many observers say such bilateral deals risk seriously weakening any Copenhagen agreement by allowing the idea of a global limit on greenhouse gas emissions to be abandoned.

------------------------------ DONE DEALS ------------------------------

EU-Korea FTA (2009) | 20-October-2009

------------------------------ ACTIONS -----------------------------

Lawsuit Would Further Expose Secretive SPP Agenda | 19-October-2009
The SPP, along with NAFTA have already laid much of the groundwork for a North American Union.

------------------------------ LINKS ------------------------------

El ALBA de los Movimientos Sociales | 20-October-2009



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