GEORGETOWN, Guyana (CMC):

Guyana's President Bharrat Jagdeo has announced that his government may not sign the Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) between the European Union and countries of the Caribbean Forum (CARIFORUM) when the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) Heads of Government meet in Antigua next week.

Speaking at a press conference on Wednesday, Jagdeo said that he expects a healthy debate on whether CARIFORUM, which includes CARICOM member states and the Dominican Republic, is prepared to sign the agreement.

Implications

"I doubt whether next week we are going to sign any agreement in Antigua and Barbuda on the EPA," he said. "I doubt whether Guyana would affix its signature at that stage to the agreement."

Asked what the implications would be if the deal was not signed, Jagdeo said: "We are yet to study that."