BRUSSELS, May 26: Poor African, Caribbean and Pacific countries warned the EU on Friday in talks over new trade pacts that they will not sign at any price a deal sweeping away their privileged access to Europe's markets.

The 78 mostly former European colonies making up the so-called ACP group and the European Union are struggling to conclude the new agreements by the end of the year, when a current preferential market access accord is due to expire.

Amid growing pressure on the EU to take a softer line, the ACP told Europe ahead of the latest round of talks on Friday in Brussels that it could not accept a deal that did not adequately take their concerns into account.--AFP