EU trade chief Peter Mandelson has been urging ACP countries to sign the EPAs

Dr Rowley's statement came as negotiators from Caricom and the Dominican Republic meet with their European counterparts this week, to finalise elements of the agreement.

Minister Rowley said some Caricom countries were still calling for an extension to the deadline to work out a favourable deal, but the region cannot afford to hold out any longer.

He said heads of government and trade ministers have instructed technocrats to negotiate an agreement to be signed by year-end.

"The European Union has made it quite clear that without an agreement by December 31, notwithstanding what Cariforum may want, in terms of extensions, that a new tariff arrangement will kick in on January first.

"And that is what we have to avoid," he said.

Dr Rowley also noted that an interim agreement was not an option.

"While a phased arrangement is available to Africa, it is not available to the Caribbean, that's the EU's position," he said.

The trade minister said he has already met with representatives of the local commercial and manufacturing sectors to discuss the implications of the EPA.

Under the EPA, Cariforum countries will have to open their markets to manufacturers from Europe.

However, there is a 25-year phase in period.