I propose to take Questions Nos. 249 to 258, inclusive, together.
The economic partnership agreements, EPAs, which are to enter into force by 1 January 2008, are an integral element of the legally-binding Cotonou Agreement between the African, Caribbean and Pacific, ACP, states and the European Union.
The EPAs are intended first and foremost as instruments for development to foster the smooth and gradual integration of ACP states into the world economy, with due regard for their own political choices and their own development priorities, thereby promoting their sustainable development and contributing to poverty eradication. They combine trade and wider development issues in a unified framework, while taking account of the specific economic, social and environmental circumstances of each regional group and its component states. I cannot see this approach as constituting a dilution of African sovereignty regarding its economic future. It seems to me that it addresses the particular concern of Ireland and other member states that development and poverty reduction should be the principle objectives of the EPAs.
As far as the impacts of liberalisation of trade are concerned, I draw the Deputy's attention to Article 37(7) of the Cotonou Agreement, which states that the negotiations on the EPAs
. . . shall take account of the level of development and the socio-economic impact of trade measures on ACP countries, and their capacity to adapt and adjust their economies to the liberalisation process. Negotiations will, therefore, be as flexible as possible in establishing the duration of a sufficient transitional period, the final product coverage, taking into account sensitive sectors, and the degree of asymmetry in terms of timetable for tariff dismantlement, while remaining in conformity with WTO rules then prevailing.
Under European Union regulations, it is the European Commission which conducts the EPA negotiations between the EU and six regional groupings of ACP states on behalf of the member states. The Commission provides the Council with regular updates on the progress of the negotiations. While Ireland, like other member states, does not participate in the ongoing EPA negotiations, we are satisfied that the Commission is discharging its mandate in accordance with the provisions of the Cotonou Agreement and in a manner which is sensitive to the particular concerns of the ACP States. As in all trade negotiations, the EPA discussions have brought to light differences of approach between the parties in a number of areas. It is to be hoped that, as the talks progress, these divergences can be resolved in accordance with the principles and objectives underlying the negotiations. Ireland is actively following the developments in the EPA negotiations and will continue to do so.
In Ireland, the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment has primary responsibility for trade policy. An officer of that Department represents Ireland at meetings of the 133 committee, which normally meets once a month at the level of full members. An officer of the Department of Foreign Affairs also attends meetings of the 133 committee on a regular basis. Given the importance for Ireland of trade and trade relations with other countries, including those which are programme countries for Ireland's development cooperation programme, there is regular and on-going contact with the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment and other Departments, including the Department of Agriculture and Food, in preparing for meetings of the 133 committee and on questions relating to trade in general. Ireland is actively following the developments in the EPA negotiations and will continue to do so.
All of the programme countries in Ireland's bilateral aid programme — Ethiopia, Lesotho, Mozambique, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia and Timor Leste — are ACP states. In each of these countries, Ireland works in close co-operation with its partner government, other donors, the private sector and civil society to ensure coherence in our approach across a range of sectors. Among the issues discussed are the impact of EU policies, including EPAs, and the wider question of integration of LDCs into the international trading system. This approach will help build the economic infrastructure in these least developed countries, LDCs, which will lead to employment generation and ultimately to long-term sustainable development. The level of detail being sought by Deputy Upton in relation to employment in particular industries in sub-Saharan Africa and other related details are not available to me.
In common with most other countries in the southern Africa region, South Africa is Mozambique's main foreign investor, and strong trade links have developed between the two countries in recent years. It would not be appropriate for me to express a view on which specific industries in Mozambique, or indeed any other third country, could sustain competition from South Africa. Part of our overall engagement with the private sector in sub-Saharan Africa involves working to create a better climate for enterprise development and economic growth and involves efforts aimed at creating a more enabling international environment and improving coherence on trade and agriculture domestically.