Africans want EPA-talks extension

On the whole, Africa is still not ready for the planned Economic Partnership Agreements (EPA) with the European Union, concludes the African Trade Policy Centre of the UN Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA) in a recent report, which was commissioned by the African ACP secretariat. The paper maintains it is unlikely that even one of the four African sub-regional groups negotiating with the EU will conclude an EPA by the end of this year. The assessors name the lack of transparency in the talks as one of the greatest shortcomings. Non-governmental groups and Africa’s parliaments are hardly involved. Even some governments are complaining about the poor communication with negotiators at the regional level.
Furthermore, uncertainty lingers on about the possible impacts of the EPAs on African economies. More research is urgently required, UNECA expert opinion states. Many of those involved in the talks on the African side are frustrated with negotiations, so far, having revolved almost exclusively around issues of market access. Instead, they want to focus on strengthening African markets and developing productive capacities. In general, matters of economic development are said to have been given too little attention in the EPA talks. The report calls for the negotiations not to be concluded hastily, arguing that it should not be a problem to get a WTO exemption clause for EU trade preferences in favour of ACP countries extended beyond 2008.

The Caribbean countries presented their interim report on the EPA negotiations in December, and also complained of shortcomings. However, they want to adhere to the start date of January 2008 (see E+Z/D+C 2/2007, p. 50). The interim reports form part of how ACP and EU officially assess the progress of EPA talks. (ell)