Acting P.M. calls for ‘compromise’

Acting Prime Minister, Fonotoe Pierre Lauofo, has called for a “compromise” to settle the outstanding issues in the negotiations of the Pacific Agreement on Closer Economic Relations (P.A.C.E.R) Plus.

Fonotoe, who is also the Minister of Commerce, Industry and Labour, made the call during the opening of the 11th inter-sessional meeting on the P.A.C.E.R Plus regional trade negotiations in Apia.

“We are close to reaching an agreement and every effort should be made to reach compromise on the outstanding issues,” Fonotoe said. “Flexibility is required on all sides and I sincerely hope that you will be able to close negotiations on a number of Chapters before you depart Samoa.”

Prior to the meeting’s opening yesterday, the Chief Trade Adviser for the P.I.Cs, Dr. Edwini Kessie, said the Apia meeting is the defining moment in the P.A.C.E.R Plus negotiations. “There is still much work to be done if the Parties are to conclude the negotiations by the end of next year,” he said.

“However, the recent changes to the Seasonal Worker Program by the Australian Government have injected some dynamism into the negotiations, which hopefully will encourage the Parties to find solutions to the outstanding issues in the various negotiating areas.

“With hard work and flexibility on all sides, we should be able to conclude the negotiations next year for a trade and development agreement that would contribute towards reversing the marginalisation of the P.I.Cs in the multilateral trading system and ensure that they derive significant benefits from international trade."

Yesterday, Fonotoe was positive progress being made in Apia. “Samoa has a history of facilitating breakthroughs in negotiations,” he told the gathering. “It was here in 2009, that a resolution was found regarding the decision that heralded the launch of the P.A.C.E.R Plus negotiations by Forum Leaders.

“I am, therefore, confident that the meeting here in Samoa will enable the Parties to bridge the gaps in the negotiating positions on the outstanding issues.” The Apia meeting is second inter-sessional meeting for this year.

The Pacific Agreement on Closer Economic Relations (P.A.C.E.R) Plus negotiations were launched by Pacific Island Country (P.I.C) Leaders in August 2009 in Cairns, Australia, and will result in a trade and development agreement that will inject dynamism into the economies of the P.I.Cs and enhance their participation in international trade.

The Parties have already concluded negotiations on a number of Chapters and they have set themselves the deadline of concluding the negotiations by the end of next year.

Once concluded, the P.A.C.E.R Plus Agreement is expected to enter into force in 2017, after ratification by the legislatures of the Parties.

Prior to the meeting yesterday, a Pacific regional trade network said it was unconvinced of the benefits of P.A.C.E.R-Plus. The Pacific Network on Globalisation (P.A.N.G) said that the despite being sold as a 'development agreement' it is the Pacific that is shouldering the burden of legal commitments in the talks whilst Australia and NZ offer voluntary commitments.

“The Pacific have agreed to make binding legal commitments on their sovereignty, limiting their ability to determine how and what type of investment comes into their countries, undercutting policies that maximise the benefits for local workers are just some of the examples of how bad this deal is for Pacific Island countries,” said P.A.N.G Campaigner, Adam Wolfenden.

“Australia and New Zealand on the other hand offering only voluntary commitments can opt out on their promises of access for Pacific workers and extra aid money at will.

“The claims by the O.C.T.A that there is more energy back in the talks and possible momentum to conclude a deal are forgetting one crucial factor – they aren't bringing the people along with it and perhaps even some governments remain unconvinced.

“Churches, environment groups, gender rights activists, trade unions, farmers, academics, indigenous groups, youth groups and more have all called for the immediate suspension of the talks and the releasing of the negotiation texts so that impact assessments can be undertaken to determine the real value of PACER-Plus.”