PRESIDENT Bharrat Jagdeo says he doubts whether Guyana will be affixing its signature to the Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) next week when he meets with Caribbean Community (CARICOM) countries’ Heads of Government in Antigua and Barbuda.

The President made this disclosure at a press conference he hosted at the Office of the President on Wednesday when he informed the media about the meeting and the likelihood of the agreement being signed by Cariforum countries for trade with the European Union (EU).

The President had long before expressed his dissatisfaction with the agreement and the short time frame which the African, Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) countries were given to sign the agreement.

In fact, at a business forum recently, the Guyanese Head of State said the ACP was bullied into submission by the EU.

“You know some countries have different views on this matter so I expect it will be a healthy debate on whether we’re prepared to sign but I doubt whether next week we are going to sign any agreement in Antigua on the EPA. I doubt whether Guyana will affix its signature at that stage to the agreement,” he told reporters.

Asked about the implications of not signing the agreement, President Jagdeo said these were yet to be studied but noted that several of the legal implications were examined by him and he has observed that they vary.

“I’ve looked at several legal implications and they vary, some think that we could be subjected to tariffs under the GSP (Generalised System of Preferences) immediately. He stated however, that on the other hand others feel that because Europe took several years to ratify some agreements that they signed, a precedent has been set and ACP countries could also take several years to ratify this agreement and sign onto it without facing the consequences of punitive measures.

“So, the legal opinions are varied. I have to wait and see approach,” he concluded.