4/11/2005
EU in Economic Partnership Talks with West Africa

West African Ministers met EU Trade Commissioner Peter Mandelson in Brussels last week to agree on the next phase of the Economic Partnership Agreement negotiations between the two regions. Ministers agreed to start negotiations in 2006 and endorsed a calendar setting out a precise timetable for the talks.

Speaking for the EU, Trade Commissioner Peter Mandelson said: “Today’s agreement marks a turning point in negotiations. We are ready to begin discussing the trade rules that will support the sustained growth and real development that West Africa needs. This will do much more than simply guarantee preferential access to the EU market, it will help establish a secure framework for investment, jobs and a sound business environment. This is part of a comprehensive approach to regional relations where the EU is highly sensitive to the unique challenges of development in West Africa. We are also deeply committed to helping the region manage the economic change this involves.”

Economic Partnership Agreements are trade and development agreements that the European Union is currently negotiating with the 6 African, Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) regions. At the beginning of his tenure, EU Trade Commissioner Mandelson undertook a full review of the EPA process, putting in place a new benchmarking system and expert oversight to ensure that the EPAs are genuine development tools.

West Africa was the first region, along with Central Africa, to start EPA negotiations in October 2003. The Executive Secretariat of ECOWAS, in collaboration with the WAEMU Commission, is conducting the negotiations on behalf of its Member States.

Since then there has been extensive discussions on technical issues and the process of integration already underway in West Africa. This has included discussions on customs issues, a free trade area, EU import standards and the trade in services.

This ministerial meeting agreed a calendar to begin the next phase of negotiations. This will mean starting work in 2006 on drafting the text and legal provisions of the EPA and discussing issues connected with market access, including the effect of an EPA on productive sectors in West Africa.