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FTA Watch - India provides news and documents from newspapers and civil society groups around the world in relation to Indian Free Trade Agreements (FTA) negotiations, concerns and discussions as well as progressive and alternative initiatives regarding FTAs. To subscribe, contact us through our Contact Us page. |
| Digest No: 05; Dated: April 02, 2009 |
| ONGOING NEGOTIATIONS |
EFTA-India FTA
Pharmaceutical companies have vested interests in reducing the flexibility associated with the implementation of the Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS) agreement of the World Trade Organization (WTO). The Swiss government has carried their agenda forward and argued for such flexibility to be restricted by the IPR chapters of the European Free Trade Association (Switzerland, Norway, Lichtenstein and Iceland) FTAs. The consequences of a stronger implementation of IPR on access to medicine and access to treatments are huge. On March 21, the government of Norway announced its withdrawal from the talks on IPR with relation to the EFTA-India FTA. The official announcement came from the Trade Ministry. In fact, concerns regarding the impact on health, among other factors, are suspected to be behind such a decision. Two Swiss civil society groups published a press release stating that Norway has show its commitment to human right rather than to free trade, as opposed to Switzerland support to pharmaceutical companies.
Norway withdraws from the EFTA negotiations
NyTide, Maren Næss | March 20, 2009
Norway has resigned from the EFTA negotiations on patent rights. The sole EFTA cooperation may now be in danger. “We have chosen to pull out of the negotiations. We have a different policy than the other EFTA countries in this area. This has not been problematic so far, but differences have crystallized during the negotiations with India”, says State Secretary Rikke Lind, Norway Ministry of Trade and Industry, to the New Time.
EFTA FTAs: Norway asserts Human Rights, Switzerland supports companies
Alliance Sud, Bern Declaration, | March 24, 2009
EFTA FTAs negotiations have taken a complicated turn, with Norway withdrawing from talks on intellectual property, which is a serious priority for Switzerland. In addition, Norway deferred the submission of the FTA with Colombia, stating the need for ratification by the Norwegian Parliament, an act seen by many as a move on the part of the Norwegians to renegotiate many terms within the agreement.
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