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ACP-EU Negotiations of Economic Partnership Agreements:

ACP-EU Negotiations of Economic Partnership Agreements: Threat or opportunity for regional integration in Southern and Eastern Africa ? Christoph Wagner, European Commission Brussels, June 2005. All-ACP phase (Oct. 2002- Oct. 2003) convergence Instruments for development

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ACP-EU Negotiations of Economic Partnership Agreements:

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  1. ACP-EU Negotiations of Economic Partnership Agreements: Threat or opportunity for regional integration in Southern and Eastern Africa ? Christoph Wagner, European Commission Brussels, June 2005

  2. All-ACP phase (Oct. 2002- Oct. 2003) • convergence • Instruments for development • Support regional integration • Maintain and improve current level of market access • WTO compatibility - with SDT to be provided for all ACPs, in particular LDCs and vulnerable small, landlocked and island countries • divergence • Level of discussion of certain issues (all-ACP vs regional) • Sequencing negotiations and aid • Need for additional funding over and above the EDF

  3. Regions • Central Africa – CEMAC + Sao Tomé Brazzaville, 4th October • West Africa – ECOWAS + Mauritania Cotonou, 6th October • Southern and Eastern Africa – 16 Countries Mauritius, 7th February 2004 • Caribbean – Kingston (Jamaica), 16 April 2004 • SADC EPA - 7 SADC States Windhoek, 8 July 2004 • Pacific - ACP members of Pacific Forum 10 September 2004

  4. Road map: broad consensus on calendar • Introductory «priority setting» phase (3 months) • Convergence on strategic approach (until + mid 2005) Understanding on regional integration policies and priorities and on level of integration to be achieved when EPA implementation starts • Structuring and consolidation (until + mid 2006) : • Remaining trade related issues to be included in EPA • Prepare liberalisation scenarios • draft outline of EPA • Finalisation of negotiations (until end of 2007) • Negotiation of market access • Finalisation of EPA

  5. ESA Status of negotiations • Opening on 7 February 2004. Roadmap – copy available • July 2004 meetings: defined work for following months: fishery, market access and development • Only fishery went ahead – ESA regional framework agreement – technical meeting in October 2004 in Madagascar showed differences • December 04 to February 05 exchange of notes, mostly on fishery • May 2005 senior level brainstorming meeting – clarified and put talks back on track • Next senior level meeting probably September to launch talks on market access, agriculture and development • Ministerial level for end of the year

  6. ESA Challenges • Delays: region to organise negotiating structures: national and regional level; important role of BXL based ambassadors • Nomination of regional chief negotiating advisor to push process in BXL • Financing of meetings and background analysis – regional, national and all-ACP funds but problem of procedures

  7. SADC Status of negotiations • Opening on 8 July 2004 • Technical and senior level meetings: agreed on a report on SADC Trade integration in view of establishing the starting line for the future EPA (by September 2005) • Also discussed progress reports on SPS and TBT with a view to facilitate SADC access to EU legislation • Next Technical negotiations take place in Brussels on 13-15 June 2005

  8. Overall Challenges • Geographical configuration • SADC – ESA • SACU – TDCA • EAC – Tanzania • South-South vs North-South focus • Capacity constraints • Link to development co-operation

  9. Conclusion • Opportunity for regional integration – ‘spaghetti bowl’ • Comprehensive approach; involvement of stakeholders • Objective is economic development of the region

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