Outcomes document:

23 – 24 October 2009

The Forum Trade Ministers met in Brisbane, Australia on 23 – 24 October 2009. Member Countries represented were Australia, Cook Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, Kiribati, Nauru, New Zealand, Niue, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Republic of the Marshall Islands, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tonga, Tuvalu and Vanuatu. Observers comprised representatives from the Oceania Customs Organisation (OCO) and the Secretariat of the Pacific Community (SPC). The Meeting was chaired by Mr Simon Crean, Minister for Trade, Australia.

See below for full outcomes document:
2. The Meeting opened with a prayer from the Reverend Milo Toleafoa Fa’aleava of the Congregational Christian Church of Samoa in Australia.

3. The objectives of the Meeting were to consider and make decisions on progress made toward the appointment of the Chief Trade Advisor and the establishment of the Office of the Chief Trade Advisor, and the framework for the PACER Plus negotiations including timelines for the negotiations, identification of issues relating to PACER Plus arrangements common to all Forum countries, and issues in respect of which the CTA could negotiate. The meeting also discussed the preparatory work for PACER Plus negotiations, including engagement with Non-State Actors, and other matters relating to PACER Plus.

4. The Chair opened the meeting by acknowledging the traditional owners of the land, and by expressing sympathy to Samoa and Tonga for the tragedy of the recent tsunami. The Chair also acknowledged the passing of Vanuatu Member of Parliament Ture Cailo. Turning to the focus of the Meeting, the Chair noted the importance of economic growth for the sustainable development to all Member countries. He spoke of the consistency between PACER Plus and the Cairns Compact, and stated that the negotiation of PACER Plus would support the Compact’s goal of lifting the economic performance of the region. He highlighted the recognition in the Compact of the importance of broad-based private-sector-led growth, and the role that greater trade and investment liberalisation would play to advance the process. He noted that consultations had been going on for some time at both the Ministerial and Officials level. He emphasised that the task for the Meeting was to deliver on Leaders vision for PACER Plus to promote the sustainable economic development of Forum island countries, and that this should be underpinned by capacity building and development assistance. The Chair concluded by saying that the goal of all Forum Member Countries was broader and more diversified economic growth that would raise standards of living throughout the region and boost the economic prospects of Forum Island Countries.
SESSION I: UPDATE ON THE APPOINTMENT OF THE CHIEF TRADE ADVISOR (CTA) AND THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THE OFFICE OF THE CTA
5. The Meeting was provided with an update on the appointment of the Chief Trade Advisor and recent developments in the establishment of the Office of the Chief Trade Advisor. The Secretariat reported that the recruitment of the Chief Trade Advisor had been facilitated by them in accordance with the decisions of the FTMM of June 2009. The Secretariat advertised the position, and interviews were conducted on 7 October 2009 by an interview panel led by the Tongan Minister for Labour, Commerce and Industry, Honourable Lisiate ‘Akolo.

6. The Chair invited Honourable William Haomae, Minister for Foreign Affairs and External Trade to update the meeting on progress made in the appointment of the Chief Trade Advisor.

7. Minister Haomae informed the meeting that Forum Island Country Ministers had agreed to appoint Dr Christopher Noonan as the Chief Trade Advisor. Vanuatu Minister for Trade and Business Development, Honourable James Bule, informed the meeting that progress was being made toward establishing the Office in Vanuatu. The Secretary General told the meeting that the Secretariat would expedite the employment of the Chief Trade Advisor, who would initially join a special unit within the Secretariat pending the move to Vanuatu.

8. Australia and New Zealand reaffirmed their commitment to fund the Office of the Chief Trade Advisor, with contributions of AU$500,000 and NZ$650,000 per annum respectively for a period of three years. They noted that Australia’s initial contribution of AU$250,000 and New Zealand’s contribution of NZ$650,000 towards the first year’s operational costs of the Office had been disbursed to the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat. Australia and New Zealand affirmed that the funding mechanisms are flexible enough to accommodate the establishment of the Office in Port Vila, and that commitments will be fully honoured. Forum Island Country Ministers thanked Australia and New Zealand for their funding for the Office of the Chief Trade Advisor and emphasized the need to ensure adequate funding was available for the effective functioning of the Office. Ministers discussed the need for the Chief Trade Advisor to move quickly to secure funds from other donors for the operation of the Office.

Decisions

9. Ministers:

(i) Noted the decision of Forum Island Countries to appoint Dr Christopher Noonan as the Chief Trade Advisor;

(ii) Thanked the Governments of Australia and New Zealand for their funding to establish the Office of the Chief Trade Advisor; and

(iii) Thanked Vanuatu for progress made toward the establishment of the Office of the Chief Trade Advisor in Port Vila.
SESSION II: FRAMEWORK FOR PACIFIC AGREEMENT ON CLOSER ECONOMIC RELATIONS (PACER) PLUS NEGOTIATIONS
10. The Chair asked Mr Ric Wells, Deputy Secretary of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Australia and Chair of the Forum Trade Officials’ Meeting, Australia, to present the outcomes of the Forum Trade Officials’ Meeting and bring the recommendations of Officials to the attention of the Meeting.

11. Mr Wells noted the proposal by Officials that no more than three Trade Officials meetings per year be undertaken, in addition to the annual Forum Trade Officials’/Ministers’ Meetings. He highlighted the priority issues recommended by Officials for early negotiation.

12. Minister Haomae informed the meeting of the outcomes of earlier discussions between Forum Island Country Ministers. He highlighted the Ministers’ shared interest for the regional negotiating machinery to be defined in order to advance negotiations. He also informed the Meeting that Forum Island Country Ministers had emphasized the need for extensive national consultations that include all relevant Government agencies and Non-State Actors, and the need to schedule national consultative processes.

Decisions

13. Ministers:

(iv) Agreed that there be no more than three Forum Trade Officials Meetings on PACER Plus be undertaken per year in addition to annual Forum Trade Officials’/Ministers’ Meetings;

(v) Agreed that, when appropriate, additional Forum Trade Ministers’ Meetings would be called;

(vi) Agreed that national consultations are essential.

(vii) Agreed that during the preliminary stage of negotiations, within the next 12 months, Members would focus on:
a. consolidating the Office of the Chief Trade Advisor;
b. intensifying national consultations, bearing in mind the differing capacities of Members to undertake consultations; and
c. undertaking meetings at Officials level to deepen understanding on common priority issues including, but not limited to:
- Rules of Origin;
- Regional Labour Mobility (beyond Mode 4);
- Development Assistance, focusing on physical infrastructure for trade, trade development and promotion; and
- Trade Facilitation, including Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures, Technical Barriers to Trade, Standards and Customs Procedures.

(viii) Noted that Members also identified the following priority issues for discussion: Services, including Health, Education, Telecommunications, Shipping and Aviation; Investment; Economic Cooperation; and Environment including renewable energy.

(ix) Agreed that, during this preliminary stage, it would be premature to table any draft consolidated legal text.
SESSION III: DISCUSSIONS ON THE PREPARATORY WORK FOR PACER PLUS NEGOTIATIONS
14. Ministers discussed and emphasized the importance of consultations with stakeholders including the private sector and non-government organizations. They also discussed the important role played by national consultative groups in informing and building support for negotiations.

15. Ministers discussed the importance of engagement with Non-State Actors in the PACER Plus process. Ministers then discussed the issues and challenges of ensuring adequate consultation and funding for capacity development.

16. Countries discussed progress made in capacity development activities through their use of funds provided by Australia and New Zealand in preparation for negotiations.

Decisions

17. Ministers:

(x) Noted the importance of national consultations with Non-State Actors;

(xi) Noted that these consultations will be wide-ranging and include many communities and stakeholders;

(xii) Recognized that the process of consultation with Non-State Actors had begun in some countries; and

(xiii) Directed the Secretariat to organize an annual discussion with regional Non-State Actors on PACER Plus issues in the margins of a Forum trade meeting.
SESSION IV: THE ROLE OF PACIFIC ISLANDS FORUM SECRETARIAT AND THE OCTA IN THE PACER PLUS NEGOTIATIONS
18. Ministers discussed the role of the Secretariat and the Office of the Chief Trade Advisor in the PACER Plus negotiations. Ministers noted that the Secretariat would provide necessary secretarial and logistics support for meeting of all Members to negotiate. The Office of the Chief Trade Advisor will be responsible for supporting Forum Island Countries in their PACER Plus engagement.

19. Ministers agreed that the Secretariat’s role was to provide administrative and secretarial support to PACER Plus negotiations for meetings involving all Members including coordinating meetings, travel, circulation and drafting of documents, and finalization of outcomes documents. Ministers reiterated that the provision of policy advice and capacity building to Forum Island Countries in relation to PACER Plus will be the responsibility of the Office of the Chief Trade Advisor.
OTHER BUSINESS
20. Ministers discussed how to operationalise the decision of Leaders in Cairns regarding Fiji and PACER Plus.

Decisions

21. Ministers:

(xiv) Agreed that Solomon Islands, as Lead Spokesperson for Forum Island Countries in the PACER Plus negotiations, would brief Fiji Officials on the outcomes of this Meeting and report any views from Fiji back to the next Meeting;

(xv) Agreed that future briefing and liaison with Fiji Officials be undertaken by the Chief Trade Advisor, who would report any views from Fiji back at subsequent meetings of Trade Ministers;

(xvi) Agreed that Officials would meet in the first quarter of 2010, and that the next Ministerial meeting would take place in late April or May in the Federated States of Micronesia or Palau; and

(xvii) Directed the Secretariat to finalise a date convenient to all Ministers in January 2010.

22. The Chair thanked the participants for their contribution to the Meeting. The participants congratulated the Chair for the excellent conduct of the meeting.

Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat
23-24 October 2009
Brisbane, Australia.

Source: http://www.trademinister.gov.au/releases/2009/sc_091024-outcomes.html

Fresh talks aimed at establishing a new Pacific free trade agreement, known as PACER Plus, are about to get underway this morning in the eastern Australian city of Brisbane. There are still a number of sticking points to be ironed out, with many critics saying the Pacific Island countries would be easily overpowered by Australia and New Zealand if they went ahead with the agreement.

Presenter: Geraldine Coutts
Speaker: William Haomae, Solomon Islands Trade Minister in Brisbane; Wesley Morgan, Pacific Network on Globalisation, PANG, in Fiji

• Listen:
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Source:
http://www.radioaustralia.net.au/pacbeat/stories/200910/s2722093.htm

Posted at 07:54 on 22 October, 2009 UTC

The NGO the Pacific Network on Globalisation, PANG, says it would be more viable for Pacific countries to modernise the existing SPARTECA trade agreements with Australia and New Zealand rather than pursue closer economic relations through PACER Plus.

Negotiations on PACER Plus begin tomorrow in Brisbane with Pacific Trade Ministers meeting to development a time line for how they will debate the deal.

NGOs in the Pacific are wary of PACER Plus and fear New Zealand and Australia want a deal that will impose onerous commitments on the island countries.

PANG spokesperson, Wesley Morgan, says there would be more benefit in revitalising SPARTECA and this could include the removal of non tariff barriers.

“The assessment of agricultural exports from the Pacific countries has been extra-ordinarily slow. The assessment are around one product every two years from all of the island countries in terms of agricultural produce is assessed for entry, for meeting the quarantine requirements. And we feel that that is just one area that could be prioritised as a commitment to growing trade in the island countries.”

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The Government of Fiji, in written notification to the other member countries of the Pacific Islands Forum, has today given notice of its intention to suspend the operation of Part Two of the Pacific Agreement on Closer Economic Relations (PACER), pursuant to Article 60 of the Vienna Convention.

In giving notice of the intention to suspend operations in Part Two of PACER, Minister for Foreign Affairs, International Cooperation & Civil Aviation, Ratu Inoke Kubuabola, expressed “deep regret that the Government of the Republic of the Fiji Islands records the failure of the majority of State Parties to PACER, with the exception of the Solomon Islands, to comply with their legal obligations under Article 15 of PACER”.

The notification of Fiji’s intention to suspend Part Two of has occurred as a consequence of a material breach of Fiji’s interests by the inadequate response of Parties to Fiji’s request for consultations under Article 15 of PACER and the continued illegal exclusion of Fiji from participation in trade discussions and negotiations relating to the PACER Agreement, despite Fiji being a State Party to the Agreement.

Fiji invoked Article 15 of PACER on 29th June 2009, and requested that Parties enter into consultations regarding Fiji’s unlawful exclusion from meetings and decisions of PACER Parties. Article 15 is the only dispute resolution mechanism available under PACER and mandates Parties to respond as soon as possible, in good faith, with a view to reaching a mutually satisfactory solution. Of the fifteen other Forum member countries, only the Solomon Islands, has responded in good faith, in a timely manner, to Fiji’s request for consultations under Article 15.

Minister Kubuabola further noted that the breach of State Parties’ obligations under Article 15 of PACER has been further specifically compounded by the announcement of the launch of PACER Plus negotiations, the continued exclusion of Fiji from meetings relating to PACER Plus negotiations and the proposal to convey information regarding those negotiations indirectly to Fiji officials.

“As these acts and continued omissions constitute a material breach of our rights under Part Two of the PACER agreement, regrettably, Fiji has no alternative but to give notice of our intention to suspend the operation of Part Two of PACER, pursuant to Article 60 of the Vienna Convention”, Minister Kubuabola reiterated. It was further clarified that Fiji would proceed with invoking suspension on the grounds of material breach, unless the material breach is remedied by fully reinstating Fiji’s rights as a State Party to PACER within a period of thirty (30) days. Full reinstatement of Fiji’s rights under PACER would require the convening of a meeting of all PACER parties to retract the decision regarding Fiji’s exclusion from PACER-related activities, as well as the launching of PACER Plus negotiations and the withdrawal the advertisement and recruitment of the Chief Trade Adviser. Furthermore, due reconsideration of the Roadmap for negotiations of PACER must be undertaken by all Parties.

Minister Kubuabola said that such a meeting “needs to take place as soon as possible and could be held in the margins of the forthcoming Pacific ACP Trade Ministers Meeting, where most of the PACER Parties would be present”. He remained hopeful that the other members of the Pacific Islands Forum would respond favourably to Fiji’s continued request for engagement in PACER and the advancement of Pacific regional integration.

Pacific Island Countries Trade Agreement (PICTA)

In a parallel move, the Government of Fiji, in written notification to the other member countries of the Pacific Island Countries Trade Agreement(PICTA), has also today voiced its regret that, with the exception of the Solomon Islands, State Parties to PICTA have yet to respond to Fiji’s request to enter into consultations to address its unlawful exclusion from meetings and decisions of PICTA Parties.

Minister Kubuabola highlighted that, under PICTA, Fiji is entitled to invoke the dispute settlement process established under Article 22 of PICTA by seeking mediation, should the current situation not be resolved within three months. However, Minister Kubuabola reaffirmed that Fiji is fully committed to resolving its differences through amicable consultations and with the highest regard for cultural values and customary procedures for resolving differences in the Pacific region, which is also provided for under PICTA.

-End-
(No.1846)

Source:
http://www.fiji.gov.fj/publish/page_16071.shtml

2:11 pm GMT+12, 21/10/2009, Australia

Pacific Island Trade Officials and Ministers will meet their Australian and New Zealand counterparts this week, in Brisbane, to discuss a new trade deal.

“There has been a concerted push by Australia and New Zealand to move PACER Plus negotiations forward. This is unnecessary and will not result in a positive outcome,” said Harvey Purse, Campaigner for the Australian Fair Trade & Investment Network (AFTINET), Some Pacific governments and civil society groups have asked for more time for consultation and studies to be done to assess the impact of a proposed free trade agreement on fragile Pacific Island economies.

“Minister Crean has said that, from Australia’s point of view, Pacer Plus is about development, not trade. If so, it is important that this meeting set a realistic timetable. It needs to examine options that guarantee development of the Pacific Island economies, build up their negotiating capacity and their economic capacity, and include options being put forward by Civil Society groups in the Pacific.”

AFTINET supports the view of the Pacific Network on Globalisation (PANG) that national consultations are the appropriate place to decide if, when, and how Pacific countries should enter negotiations for a new trade agreement with Australia and New Zealand.  “For such consultations to be meaningful, stakeholders across all Pacific Island countries should be considering all possible options for a new trade agreement. If a new trade agreement is to have Pacific development at its heart, it would be unacceptable to present stakeholders with a model for PACER-Plus negotiations, predetermined by Australia and New Zealand,” said Mr Purse.

“AFTINET calls on the Australian government to allow the Pacific Island Governments to set the timetable for PACER Plus, properly explore alternative agreement models, undertake consultations with their communities and build the necessary capacity to both negotiate and benefit economically from any agreement.  Australia needs to deliver on the promise that this agreement is about development not just trade,” concluded Mr Purse

For more information contact: Harvey Purse, AFTINET Campaigner
Ph: +61 2 9212 7242
Email: campaign@aftinet.org.au
SOURCE: AFTINET/PACNEWS

2:12 pm GMT+12, 21/10/2009, New Zealand

Trade officials are assembling in Brisbane today to kick off negotiations on a new Pacific trade agreement. Ministers will follow later in the week. This is a crucial meeting which will test whether Australia and New Zealand are prepared to listen to the Pacific’s needs and aspirations, or whether they will push an inappropriate model of development on the Pacific.

Even before they have started, trade negotiations between the Pacific Island countries, and Australia and New Zealand, have been controversial. In August, two days before the Pacific Islands Forum, the heads of state of the 14 Pacific nations were adamant in saying that they were not ready to negotiate and that Fiji needed to be included. But by the time the Forum meeting had ended, they had done a complete about turn and agreed to start negotiations, and to exclude Fiji from full participation. There is no doubt that Australia and New Zealand can get their way in the Pacific, but at what price?

Barry Coates, Executive Director of Oxfam New Zealand, says, “The Pacific’s development future is on the table in these negotiations. A rigid free trade agreement could severely impact government revenue and jobs, and exacerbate the growing levels of poverty and ill-health. This is the time to challenge existing frameworks and explore alternatives which will allow a more flexible set of policies to enable the Pacific to grow new industries, add value to its resources and diversify its economies.”

Oxfam’s report ‘PACER Plus and its Alternatives’ suggests that taking a standard approach to trade negotiations could be hugely damaging for the region’s fragile economies. A key risk is the loss of government revenue from tariff reductions that could see Tonga losing 19 per cent of government income from a free trade agreement with Australia and New Zealand, Vanuatu 18 per cent, Kiribati 15 per cent, and Samoa 12 per cent. For many of these countries, the projected loss of government revenue is more than their total health or education budgets.

“What is needed,” says Coates, “is an economic co-operation agreement, with the Pacific’s development at its core. New Zealand and Australia have talked the talk on making this a development agreement, they now need to walk the walk. The first step should be a proper consultation period involving business and civil society. There needs to be objective research conducted into the types of trade and other economic policies that would benefit the Pacific. A rush to start negotiations without this preparation could cause irreparable damage to the Islands’ economies and their development prospects. There is a lot at stake for the people of the Pacific,” says Coates.

“A good start would be to remove the barriers that make it difficult for Pacific businesses to export. New Zealand enjoys a massive trade surplus with the Pacific – around 4:1. Surely we should act now to boost Pacific exports and build trust, rather than waiting to use changes to policies like rules of origin and biosecurity procedures as bargaining chips in the negotiations.”

“Pacific leaders are in the best position to know what type of agreement will suit their development priorities,” says Coates. “Australian and New Zealand ministers will need to come to the meeting with open ears and minds, prepared to put their promises into practice.”  …PNS (ENDS)
Editor’s notes:

1. The report ‘PACER Plus and its Alternatives’ is available on the Oxfam website: http://www.oxfam.org.nz/resources/onlinereports/pacer%20plus%20and%20its%20alternatives.pdf

2. Trade Minister Tim Groser will join his Australian counterpart Simon Crean and 13 Pacific Island ministers for trade talks on Friday that are likely to set the timeline, content and tone of negotiations for a new agreement in the region (Fiji is excluded from the talks). New Zealand and Australia have said that the proposed agreement, dubbed the Pacific Agreement on Closer Economic Relations Plus (PACER Plus), is not simply about the two countries’ commercial interests, but will be a “new type of agreement”, aimed at promoting development in the islands.

3. The trade balance for 2008 between NZ and the Pacific Island countries was: NZ exports: $823m, imports: $210m (including $108m worth of crude oil from Papua New Guinea). Source: Statistics New Zealand

4. ‘Pacific Island countries’ refers to: Cook Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, Fiji, Kiribati, Nauru, Niue, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Republic of Marshall Islands, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tonga, Tuvalu, Vanuatu.
SOURCE: OXFAM NZ /PACNEWS

http://www.pina.com.fj/index.php?p=pacnews&m=read&o=8702277124ade6dfe3d8130c824ffd

Pacific Trade Ministers will meet with their Australian and New Zealand counterparts in Brisbane this week to discuss a new regional trade deal.  Here, Maureen Penjueli and Wesley Morgan explain why that meeting must consider development-friendly alternatives for the region.

At this year’s Forum Leaders’ Meeting, held in August in Cairns, Pacific leaders bowed to pressure from Australia and New Zealand to begin negotiations for a new regional trade agreement (PACER-Plus) four years ahead of schedule. Next week, Forum Trade Ministers will meet in Brisbane (October 21-24), to discuss the timeline and coverage of those negotiations.

Australian Trade Minister Simon Crean and Tim Groser from New Zealand look set to push for Pacific countries to agree to negotiate a free trade deal under PACER-Plus.  They are likely to argue for a deal that extends the rules of the World Trade Organisation (WTO) across the Pacific, and for the conclusion of negotiations as soon as possible.

But to negotiate such a free trade agreement would see new binding rules imposed on the Island countries – rules which could lead to massive government revenue losses, a decline in access to essential services, an undermining of local food production and indigenous land rights, increased unemployment and industry closure.

Thankfully however, there is no requirement to negotiate PACER-Plus as a traditional free trade agreement. Unlike the EPA negotiations – where the expiry of a WTO waiver threatened to damage Pacific tuna and sugar exports if a new free trade deal wasn’t struck before the end of 2007 – Pacific Trade Ministers have lots of options available for the design of new trade negotiations.A viable option would be to negotiate an alternative agreement that improves the existing South Pacific Regional Trade and Economic Cooperation Agreement (SPARTECA) while allowing Pacific countries to maintain the policy flexibility needed to promote development in the region.  A SPARTECA-Plus alternative could include the following:

• Improvements in ‘rules of origin’ requirements to allow more Pacific goods to qualify for export to Australia and New Zealand;

• Assistance to help Pacific countries meet quarantine and labeling requirements for exports;

• Prioritising the assessment of Pacific produce by Australian and New Zealand quarantine agencies (to overcome lengthy delays);

• Resources for marketing of Pacific produce (through the Pacific Islands Trade and Investment Commission);

• The continuation of labour mobililty schemes that allow Pacific islanders to work in the horticulture industry in Australia and New Zealand;

• A review of Australian and New Zealand non-tariff barriers to trade (including reviewing public health restrictions on the import of commercial quantities of kava);

• Maintaining asymmetrical trade rules that take into account the unique circumstances of small island developing states, and Least Developed Countries, in the region; and

• A regional fund for improving Pacific trade infrastructure (roads, ports, pre-transport treatment facilities etc).

A SPARTECA-Plus arrangement would avoid many of the negative implications of PACER-Plus.  Pacific Trade Ministers should table the need for alternatives in Brisbane, and call for a thorough investigation of a SPARTECA-Plus arrangement.

Our Trade Ministers needn’t feel hurried either, as recent comments from Australian Trade Minister Simon Crean indicate the Forum Island Countries (FICs) are under no legal obligation to begin discussions relating to PACER-Plus until 2011.

Pacific Leaders have repeatedly emphasised the need for national consultations regarding PACER-Plus negotiations.  At the 2009 Forum Leaders’ Meeting in Cairns for example, leaders “noted the need for Forum Island Countries to undertake national consultations with all stakeholders”.

The [then] Chair of the Pacific Islands Forum, Toke Talagi, said in Cairns that “we need to carry out consultations before we proceed with the negotiations”.  He was supported by Solomon Islands Prime Minister Derek Sikua, who said “we should have our national consultations with civil societies, NGOs, the private sector and as many stakeholders as possible because they are going to be affected by this whole thing… Politically, it will not be right for us to rush into negotiations without consultations taking place”.

Our Leaders are right to want national consultations on PACER-Plus, and indeed Pacific NGOs, churches and trade unions have called for consultations to be held as a matter of urgency.  The last time Forum Trade Ministers met (in Samoa in June) a statement supported by more than 30 different civil society groups was distributed to Ministers calling for consultations to be held before any negotiations are launched.

Supporting organisations included the Pacific Conference of Churches, the South Pacific and Oceanic Council of Trade Unions, National Assembly Uniting Church in Australia, Centre for Environmental Law and Community Rights Inc. (PNG), the Ecumenical Centre for Research Education and Advocacy (Fiji), the O Le Siosiomaga Society Inc. (Samoa), and the Council for International Development (NZ).

National consultations are the appropriate place to decide if, when, and how Pacific countries should enter negotiations for a new trade agreement with Australia and New Zealand.  However, for such consultations to be meaningful, stakeholders across each of our Pacific countries should be presented all possible options for a new trade agreement – including for a SPARTECA-Plus economic cooperation agreement.  If a new trade agreement is to have Pacific development at its heart, it would be unacceptable to present stakeholders with an already-decided-on model for PACER-Plus negotiations.

It should be noted that where national consultations have been held regarding PACER-Plus, the private sector in the Pacific has shown considerable concern about PACER-Plus.  Representatives of the private sector in the Solomon Islands for example met in late July to discuss PACER-Plus.  Following that meeting, the Solomon Islands Department of External Trade issued a Press Release that said many of the meeting’s participants “worried about moving ahead too quickly with negotiations, without proper consultation with the private sector and other stakeholders.  They recognised that any agreement could do serious damage to the private sector, if its interests were not carefully taken into consideration”.

Pacific Trade Ministers would do well to take heed of these warnings.

Maureen Penjueli is Coordinator of the Pacific Network on Globalisation (PANG).  Wesley Morgan is PANG Communications Officer.

SOURCE: PANG/PACNEWS

PACER Plus has proven to be a particularly divisive topic in the region, mirroring the global debate for and against free trade agreements. Pacific Islands Forum ministers and officials meet this week in Brisbane to map out a framework to move negotiations forward.

Despite an exhaustive (and perhaps exhausting) tour of the Pacific this year by Australian and New Zealand ministers and officials – a tour that sought to assure governments and the public that PACER Plus would be development focused and more than just a trade agreement – there remains an overwhelming public perception that PACER Plus is not in the best interest of the islands. Pacific leaders have also sought to quell fears that they have been ‘ambushed’ and assert PACER Plus is not being ‘forced’ upon them.

So why, after clocking up so many air miles and so much media space, are civil society groups and the wider population still not convinced?

The Pacific Institute of Public Policy (PiPP) has released its latest briefing paper – Casting the net to define the PACER ‘Plus’ – to stimulate thought on how to develop an informed and inclusive series of national dialogues to bring about wider participation in PACER Plus discussions.

Mr Derek Brien, Deputy Executive Director of PiPP, says “if we are to get a true picture of the potential impact of PACER Plus – both positive and negative – then we need to open up the discussion beyond the narrow confines of existing trade relationships. It is, after all, a Pacific Agreement on Closer Economic Relations”.

The briefing paper suggest that as a starting point, the Australia New Zealand Closer Economic
Relations agreement presents a more relevant model than traditional trade agreements.

“A Closer Economic Agreement in the Pacific needs to consider a whole range of issues, such as improving living conditions, consumer protection, business development, social inclusion, infrastructure, the environment and migration. Pacific leaders have demonstrated a long-standing commitment to regional integration, and PACER Plus presents an opportunity to build on the deep social, cultural and commercial linkages between the Pacific islands, Australia and New Zealand,” says Mr Brien. “But we won’t get there unless we change the language of the debate. Just releasing an avalanche of technical studies is not enough. Framing the discussion in trade jargon excludes most people, and prevents a more thorough appraisal of the options for mutually beneficial integration.”

There is no one-size-fits all framework to guide national consultations as each country has specific national interests as well as political, social and economic context. Defining a consultation framework will require the involvement of key stakeholders from across government, business, industry bodies and civil society.

The Pacific island governments have called for space to undertake national consultations. This space should be allowed within the negotiation time line, bearing in mind that a well managed national dialogue will both inform and be informed by ongoing research. It is not about slowing the process; it is about achieving better outcomes…..PNS (ENDS)

For more information contact Derek Brien Telephone: +678 29842 Mobile: +678 7763454 www.pacificpolicy.org

SOURCE: Pacific Institute of Public Policy/PACNEWS

http://www.pina.com.fj/index.php?p=pacnews&m=read&o=9455051814add332c0b5f463151a75

Fiji’s foreign minister Ratu Inoke Kubuabola has cautioned Forum Island Countries(FICs) to carefully consider their positions on the framework the PACER Plus agreement.

Ratu Inoke made the statement ahead of the special Forum Trade Officials and Ministers meetings that will be held in Brisbane, Australia from 22-24 October

The Forum Leaders Meeting held in Cairns, Australia in early August, which had excluded Fiji, directed that Forum Trade Ministers discuss a framework for PACER Plus negotiations, including timelines, coverage and issues in respect of which the Chief Trade Advisor could negotiate.

The Brisbane meetings will require the FICs and Australia and New Zealand to discuss and agree on the proposed framework for the PACER Plus negotiations.  These meetings would be preceded by a FIC Trade Officials meeting on 21 October and the FIC Trade Ministers meeting on 23 October.

Ratu Inoke, made further reference to the differing stages of preparedness for the negotiations of the FICs as a whole

“Most of the FICs, including Fiji, have not yet completed extensive national consultations with stakeholders to identify national positions for PACER Plus negotiations. Therefore, FICs ought to exercise the fullest extent of caution possible when considering making commitments on the framework for PACER Plus. Until extensive consultations are completed and national positions clear, FICs should defer making commitments on the timelines, the coverage and the mandate for the Chief Trade Advisor”.

On the issue of Fiji’s exclusion from the PACER Plus negotiations, Ratu Inoke reiterated that “Fiji could not be expected to be bound by any decisions taken in our absence. Fiji has moved to address the continued illegal exclusion from PACER Plus talks by invoking Article 15 of the PACER agreement. As signatories to the treaty of PACER, all Forum member countries have a legal obligation to respond, in good faith and as soon possible, to Fiji’s request for consultations under Article 15 of PACER”

Ratu Inoke Kubuabola remained optimistic that those FICs which had yet to respond, would favourably reassess Fiji’s request for consultations in the spirit of cooperation and with a view to progressing regional integration in the Pacific.

SOURCE: FIJI FOREIGN MINISTRY /PACNEWS
http://www.pina.com.fj/index.php?p=pacnews&m=read&o=19202937174add34467944b3812b80