MEPs’ Gabon summit

Date: 15/03/01

EUROPEAN Union plans to open up trade for poor countries in everything but arms come under the spotlight of MEPs and representatives from members of the Africa Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) group of nations in Gabon next week. Liberal members of the EU's assembly will table a report saying that the impact of the scheme, put forward by Trade Commissioner Pascal Lamy, is unlikely to be strongly felt. But they insist the Commission should ensure that the deal does not harm the ACP countries.