Europe is negotiating new trade deals – economic partnership agreements – with African, Caribbean, and Pacific (ACP) countries but it is choosing power politics over partnership.
The G8 Agriculture meeting in Italy is heading for a profound failure with ministers dithering about the bold action needed to tackle the global food crisis. The Italian Agriculture Minister Luca Zaia’s opening promise of “three days that will make history" is sounding very hollow.
More than 75,000 people will die of hunger during the three days that G8 Agriculture Ministers will meet to talk about the food crisis. Oxfam is warning Ministers that the answer to the global food crisis is not increased production in rich countries but support for the world’s poorest farmers.
Europe is turning its back on poor countries just when they need help most. At a crucial time just ahead of the G20 Summit in London, the EU is empty-handed and in no fit state to lead the world on the two biggest issues we face today – the economic and climate crisis.
17 Feb – Pharmaceutical giant GlaxoSmithKline should be congratulated for breaking industry ranks and taking a major step toward helping poor people in developing countries to get better access to medicines, says international agency Oxfam. However GSK’s initiative this week is just the beginning.
Chile has seen an overall growth in its economy but behind this success story, there are some heavy costs. Regional trade agreements have thrown the workers further into poverty.