Titulos Bilaterals-

BILATERALS.ORG WEEKLY

bilaterals.org weekly | 11-17 Dec 2009

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

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

Panamá y Colombia empezarán a negociar la firma de un TLC en enero | 17-December-2009
Los gobiernos de Panamá y Colombia iniciarán en enero las negociaciones para la firma de un Tratado de Libre Comercio (TLC) que abarque todo el universo comercial de los dos países, informó hoy el ministro de Comercio e Industrias de Panamá, Roberto Henríquez.
La ALBA en Copenhague | 17-December-2009
La Alianza Bolivariana para los Pueblos de Nuestra América (ALBA) tendrá un protagonismo especial de forma paralela a la Cumbre sobre Cambio Climático que concluirá en esta capital el próximo viernes.
Hacia una Reforma de la Política Comercial para América del Norte: Las lecciones del TLCAN | 17-December-2009
El reconocimiento oficial de la necesidad de reformar el TLCAN, así como el modelo para tratados comerciales de Estados Unidos, será muy bienvenida. Se requerirá la presión continua de la sociedad civil para asegurar que estas reformas profundicen lo suficiente para producir cambios significativos.
Delegación británica observó la situación de derechos humanos en Colombia y solicitó que sea bloqueado el TLC con la Unión Europea | 17-December-2009
Una misión de parlamentarios británicos, dirigentes sindicales, y abogados laboralistas visitaron a Colombia desde el 29 noviembre al 5 diciembre. Transcribimos el informe elaborado por los observadores tras la visita.
Hervé Gaymard: «Les APE sont morts nés» | 17-December-2009
Les croisés africains de la lutte contre les APE viennent de recevoir l’appui de la commission des affaires européennes du parlement français, qui estime que c’est un échec et préconise des « Accords de Partenariat de Développement Economique et Commercial ».
Greens on FTA with Japan | 16-December-2009
Australia should not agree to a free trade agreement (FTA) with Japan unless the Asian nation stops whaling in the Southern Ocean, the Australian Greens say.
South Korea, Japan to hold free trade negotiations next week | 16-December-2009
South Korea and Japan will hold the fourth round of their bilateral free trade talks next week in Seoul next week, Seoul’s trade ministry said Wednesday
US think tank admits NAFTA failed Mexico | 16-December-2009
The Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, an influential Washington DC-based think tank, released “Rethinking Trade Policy for Development: Lessons From Mexico Under NAFTA,” challenging what the report notes is a widespread assumption in the US “that Mexico was the undeniable winner from NAFTA.”
China, Norway start sixth round of FTA talks | 16-December-2009
Negotiators from China and Norway started in Oslo on Tuesday morning the sixth round of free trade area(FTA) talks, which will last till Thursday.
Etats-Unis: Ron Kirk notifie au Congrès les pourparlers commerciaux Asie-Pacifique | 16-December-2009
L’administration du président Obama a notifié lundi au Congrès que le président Barack Obama avait l’intention d’aborder les négociations d’un accord commercial Asie-Pacifique avec le Vietnam, la Nouvelle-Zélande, Singapour et quatres autres pays.
Taiwan’s opposition may besiege Presidential Office to protest talks | 16-December-2009
Taiwan’s Democratic Progressive Party is planning to muster 100,000 people to take part in a march on Dec. 20 in the central city to voice the party’s opposition to the proposed cross-strait trade agreement, known as an economic cooperation framework agreement.
Taiwan fears China trade deal could cost jobs | 16-December-2009
Unions in Taiwan say they fear there could be huge job losses if a proposed free trade agreement is signed with mainland China. Talks on the deal are scheduled for next week between senior officials from Beijing and Taipei.
US preparing to revisit trade pact with South Korea | 16-December-2009
US officials are preparing for talks with South Korea to address autos and other concerns that have blocked approval of a bilateral free trade agreement, the top US trade official said on Tuesday.
Jakarta opts not to confront China on trade | 16-December-2009
The Indonesian government will not attempt to renegotiate a free trade agreement between Southeast Asian nations and China that will go into effect on January 1, but will request a delay in eliminating import tariffs on more than 300 Chinese products, officials said on Tuesday.
US wants Japan, Malaysia, South Korea to join talks | 15-December-2009
The US wants Japan, Malaysia and South Korea to join negotiations for a regional free-trade agreement in Asia, Trade Representative Ron Kirk said.
Declaración Final de la VIII Cumbre del ALBA | 15-December-2009
Reconocieron con satisfacción el avance incuestionable del ALBA-TCP en sus primeros cinco años de existencia, y su efectiva confirmación como alianza política, económica y social en defensa de la soberanía, la autodeterminación, la identidad y la unidad de los pueblos.
La integración política del ALBA | 15-December-2009
La organización regional se ha convertido en un baluarte para enfrentar los grandes desafíos políticos que enfrentan los pueblos Latinoamericanos constantemente amenazados por las ansias hegemónicas estadounidense.
Obama tells Congress US will pursue Asia trade | 15-December-2009
“TPP is about re-establishing the role of the US in the Asian region,” Calman Cohen, president of the Washington-based Emergency Committee for American Trade, told reporters Dec. 11. “If they get it right, it can be a real shot in the arm.”
RI-China FTA rules unlikely to be delayed: China says | 15-December-2009
While local industries are seeking a delay in the full implementation of the free trade agreement (FRA) with China, to start in January, China says this stands little chance of succeeding.
Nigeria & Thailand negotiate bilateral trade agreement for rice production | 15-December-2009
Recently the Thai Commerce Minister visited Nigeria were he discussed the proposal of a Bilateral Trade and Investment Agreement — primarily involving agricultural development — with the Nigerian Minister for Commerce and Industry.
EU and Port-au-Prince sign economic partnership agreement | 15-December-2009
By signing, on 11 December, an economic partnership agreement with the EU, Haiti has jointed the fourteen other member states of Cariforum, the organisation of Caribbean countries, that signed the EPA in October 2008.
House approves renewal of Andean trade benefits | 15-December-2009
The US House of Representatives on Monday approved a one-year extension of soon-to-expire trade benefits for Ecuador, Colombia, Peru and a long list of other developing countries.
US-NZ trade talks expected to start in March | 15-December-2009
US trade officials have formally notified the US Congress of President Barack Obama’s intention to negotiate a regional free trade deal with Vietnam, New Zealand, Singapore, Chile and three other countries in the Asia Pacific area.
Indígenas Latinoamericanos rechazan imposición de TLC’s con Unión Europea | 14-December-2009
Bajo el nombre de Acuerdos de Asociación, la Unión Europea viene tratando de imponer acuerdos comerciales con los países latinoamericanos, tal como se hizo con los países de África.
RP elections cast cloud on trade pact | 14-December-2009
Philippine elections pose uncertainty in the regional tariff regime, with neighbors wondering whether the new government next year can live up to its free-trade commitments with member-countrie
Perú y Colombia: Militarización y paramilitarización son imposiciones que vienen de la mano con los TLC’s | 14-December-2009
La imposición de los TLC entre EE.UU.., Perú y Colombia han traído consigo no solo la imposición de una serie de medidas económicas que terminarán afectando a nuestros pueblos, sino la imposición de la presencia de tropas militares dentro de nuestros territorios.
Comunicado especial sobre Cambio Climático de la VIII Cumbre del ALBA – TCP con miras a la XV Conferencia de las partes en Copenhage | 14-December-2009
Los Jefes de Estado y de Gobierno de los países miembros de la Alianza Bolivariana para los pueblos de nuestra América-Tratado de Comercio de los Pueblos, reunidos en su VIII Cumbre, celebrada en La Habana, Cuba, del 13 al 14 de diciembre de 2009, convinieron reafirmar la Declaración Especial sobre Cambio Climático adoptada en la VII Cumbre del ALBA-TCP, efectuada en Cochabamba, Bolivia, el 17 de octubre de 2009.
Evaluarán cancilleres del ALBA estrategias de integración | 14-December-2009
Los cancilleres de los países del ALBA se reunirán hoy aquí durante la VIII cumbre de la organización, abocados a revisar mandatos de anteriores encuentros y analizar medidas para el relanzamiento de este mecanismo de integración regional.
China may displace the US as main trading partner of Peru | 14-December-2009
On December 7, Peru’s government ratified a free trade agreement with China, noting that this decision "favors Peru’s interests." Peru is one of China’s major trading partners in Latin America.
Colombia’s dubious strategy to push through an FTA with the European Union | 14-December-2009
The ITUC is appalled at the strategy used by the Colombian government to discredit the ITUC Colombian affiliates – CUT, CGT and CTC – and the National Trade Union School by sending incendiary information from a completely unrepresentative trade union to European Union Members of Parliament.
Haiti signs the CARIFORUM–EU Economic Partnership Agreement | 14-December-2009
Haiti today signed the Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) and joins the fourteen Caribbean States that signed the EPA in October 2008.
Single currency a step closer for ALBA nations | 14-December-2009
The creation of a regional currency among Latin American countries drew closer over the weekend as Cuba agreed to pay for a shipment of Venezuelan rice in sucres – the new currency.
Nigeria, Thailand partner on rice production | 14-December-2009
Nigeria and Thailand have commenced negotiation and signing of a bilateral investment agreement in commercial agriculture in Nigeria, particularly in rice production and processing. The cooperation will be in the establishment of rice farms by the Thais in Nigeria’s free trade zones.
India seeks demand list from Asean nations | 14-December-2009
India has taken the first concrete step towards concluding a deal with the Asean for liberalising trade in services, including cross-border movement of professionals, sending a request list to all Asean members pointing out where exactly the country wants greater access.
Blocage de la signature de l’APE - Le dessous des cartes | 14-December-2009
L’avancement des négociations sur l’accord de partenariat économique piétine. Une situation due à de nombreux points d’achoppements entre les pays de l’Afrique de l’Ouest et de l’Union Européenne.
Chinese VP hopes to see S. Korea-China FTA | 13-December-2009
Chinese Vice President Xi Jinping, widely seen as in line to succeed President Hu Jintao in 2012, said he would like to see a free trade agreement between his country and South Korea in the near future.
Fiji joins EU-Pacific regional trade agreement | 12-December-2009
Fiji has today in Copenhagen signed on to the interim Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) between the EU and the countries of the Pacific.
A brief Q&A with the US trade representative | 12-December-2009
Ron Kirk offers a status report on pending trade agreements and an overview of the administration’s trade strategy
Colombia abre sus puertas al TLC | 12-December-2009
Pese a que Colombia tiene un Producto Interno Bruto de 150.000 millones de dólares y cuenta con enormes riquezas minerales, más de 22 millones de los 41 millones de sus habitantes viven en la pobreza
Costa Rica fija como prioridad para 2010 firmar el TLC con China, Singapur y la UE | 12-December-2009
La conclusión de las negociaciones y la firma de acuerdos comerciales con China, Singapur y la UE, como parte de una estrategia de diversificación de mercados, será la prioridad del país.
Nicaragua: Exigen más información de negociación con UE | 12-December-2009
Centroamérica, y en particular Nicaragua, no podría recibir los resultados comerciales positivos del mercado de la UE, debido a la poca consulta e información que el Gobierno ha brindado.
México y Brasil, tan cerca y tan lejos | 12-December-2009
Para quienes quisiéramos analizar cómo sería nuestro país si algunos eventos históricos hubiesen sido diferentes, es relevante comparar México con Brasil, ya que la población económicamente activa y el tamaño de nuestro mercado se parecen más al de Brasil que al de Colombia, Chile o Cuba.

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

EU: Negotiations between the EU, Central America and the Andean countries concerning patents | 12-December-2009
According to Latin American trade unions and organisations, patenting has had devastating consequences for biological diversity in several Latin American countries. Yet neither the patent rules proposed in the association agreement between the EU and Central America nor the bilateral trade negotiations taking place between the EU and Colombia and Peru have taken account of such criticism.




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