European and Eastern and Southern Africa negotiators hold EPA talks in Brussels (27-29 April 2009)
From 27 to 29 April 2009 European and Eastern and Southern Africa (ESA) EPA (Economic Partnership Agreement) negotiators met at technical and senior levels in Brussels. This followed the EU-ESA ministerial meeting held in Lusaka in early April. All outstanding issues, as well as rules of origin and trade in services, were addressed by senior officials, with a view of signing the interim (goods-only) EPA initialled at the end of 2007 and go forward with "full" EPA negotiations. Outstanding issues, to be resolved within full EPA negotiations, include export taxes, quantitative restrictions, infant industry and provisions on modifications of commitments. The Commission, as discussed in Lusaka, addressed all items with the necessary flexibility, and is pleased ESA confirmed its intention to go ahead with signing the interim EPA and concluding full EPA negotiations.
Talks are still ongoing on other outstanding issues such as agricultural safeguards, rules of origin (with a clear understanding between parties that consistency between EAC (Eastern African Community), ESA and SADC (Southern African Development Community) is most advisable), or the WTO requirement for "substantially all trade" liberalisation where the Commission believes that liberalisation is expected to boost several ESA economic sectors. Discussions are also ongoing on the most favoured nation (MFN) clause. The Commission is also encouraging the inclusion in the EPA of provisions on regional trade preference, which would allow for a better regional economic integration. Areas also tackled by technical negotiators and where progress is being made include trade in services, development co-operation, trade-related issues (such as competition, intellectual property, sustainable development or investments), sanitary and phytosanitary standards, technical barriers to trade or trade facilitation.
The signing of the interim EPA is tentatively scheduled to take place in Mauritius at a date to be agreed with ESA following an ESA proposal in early June.
Link: http://ec.europa.eu/trade/issues/bilateral/regions/acp/regneg_en.htm
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