BRUSSELS, Oct 8, 2007 (AFP) - The European Commission said Monday, for the first time, that it would be ready to lower the bar in trade talks with the 78 African, Caribbean and Pacific rim countries making up the so-called ACP group.

The Commission's trade directorate chief David O'Sullivan told members of the European Parliament that Brussels would be prepared to reduce its ambitions on services oriented agreements and focus only on a goods deal.

NAIROBI, Sept 27, 2007 (AFP) - Kenyan activists and farmers on Thursday protested in the streets of Nairobi against what they said were unfair trade partnerships pushed by the European Union.

Protests were held in several African capitals to mark the fifth anniversary of the start of negotiations for Economic Partnerships Agreements (EPA) between the EU and African, Caribbean and Pacific rim countries (ACP), a spokesman for ActionAid said.

In Nairobi demonstrators crushed farm products and waved banners that read 'Fight Poverty... Say No to EPAs'.

BRUSSELS, Sept 27, 2007 (AFP) - The European Commission accused non-governmental organisations on Thursday of 'playing poker' with Europe's former colonies by urging them to reject new trade pacts.

The 78 African, Caribbean and Pacific rim countries making up the so-called ACP group and the European Union are struggling to clinch new agreements by the end of the year, when current preferential market access is due to expire.