« Our priority is an agreement that corresponds to our interests, » Gilles G. Hounkpatin, trade representative of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) told IPS. « Our economies will be affected by the EPAs, and we want a global view first. If you negotiate, you cannot just impose a date. » The Caribbean countries, on the other hand, say they are ready to sign an « ambitious » trade agreement this year. « We have been working flat out and we have no other choice than to give it this kind of energy, » Caribbean regional negotiator Junior Lodge told journalists. « The Caribbean insists on the fullest agreement in the shortest of time, because we have very limited negotiating capital, » Lodge said. « Market access is all we can give, and we want to get as much as possible in return. » But the Caribbean negotiator believes Europe does have an offensive interest in opening up ACP markets for its agricultural exports. « When Europe says it does not want mercantilism, I say that’s a lie. »
