Introduction

Action Aid is to be commended for its efforts to shed light on the regional trade negotiations between the European Union and the African, Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) nations ("Poorer nations pressured by EU to open their markets", December 17). However, Europe is actually following a two-pronged strategy. While the European Commission pursues regional negotiations with the ACP countries, individual European Union member governments are also pursuing ambitious bilateral negotiations with a dizzying array of developing countries. Efforts to conclude a multilateral ...