ACP countries criticise EU

Banana producing countries from African, Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) countries have accused the European Union (EU) of sacrificing their interests by reaching a deal with Latin America.



The EU has said it is very close to an agreement that will end the long-running dispute over banana tariffs.



But Suriname\'s ambassador in Brussels, Gerhard Otmar Hiwat, says the EU is pushing for the deal to show that progress is being made in removing obstacles to the conclusion of the Doha Round of global trade talks.



The only thing that’s said to prolonging the bananas dispute is an agreement between Brussels and ACP countries on a compensation package for the former European colonies.