EU And Central Africa Move Ahead With Economic Partnership Negotiations

by Ulrika Lomas, for LawAndTax-News.com, Brussels

01 December 2005

EU Trade Commissioner Peter Mandelson met with Central African Ministers last Friday in Brussels to agree on the next phase of the Economic Partnership Agreement negotiations between the two regions.

Ministers agreed to launch the next phase of negotiations in January 2006, and endorsed a detailed calendar. Work will therefore begin shortly on drafting the text and legal provisions of the EPA, in areas such as trade in goods, competition policy, public procurement, intellectual property rights, services, investment and trade and environment.

The impact of the EPA on productive sectors in Central Africa will also be analysed, in order to prepare for future market access discussions.

Mr Mandelson commented:

“I am convinced that this EPA will be a development tool and a model for North–South trade relations. The Commission and the Central African region have agreed an ambitious pro-development agenda which will provide an excellent platform for supporting Central Africa’s regional integration process."

"There is already a good legal framework in the Central Africa region – most obviously, the legislation necessary for the operation of the customs union. But these laws now need to be fully implemented. The EPA will be a key tool in encouraging compliance and providing legal certainty for traders and investors."

"These are of great importance if we are to see investment and growth in the region. There is a lot to be done before our next Ministerial meeting if we are to complete negotiations by mid-2007 and ratify by 2008. This is a deadline I remain fully committed to.”

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