ISDS Case Map
EPAs
Economic Partnership Agreements between the EU and ACP countries (under the Cotonou Agreement)
In its economic partnership agreement (EPA) negotiations with the ACP, the European Union seems to have forgotten the development dimension and pursues an agenda that reflects primarily the interest of the EU alone. This pattern is painfully evident in the EU's pursuit of new and higher standards for intellectual property and other trade-related areas.
A European Union (EU) representative in Jamaica, moving to calm fears that duty-free goods from that region would storm the Caribbean come January 1, 2008 has said the 27-member bloc is not expecting full reciprocity on its blanket offer to eliminate duties on regionally-produced goods entering its market.
Uganda will benefit from a $64,000 fund from the European Union aimed at supporting studies on the likely impact of international trade on its environment.
When European campaigners suggest that a free trade deal could harm the poor, they typically encounter a frosty reaction from civil servants in Brussels. Still, no one tries to muzzle them.
Leaders from African, Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) states have vowed once again to work to finalise a set of free trade agreements with the EU before a critical end-of-year deadline, although many issues in the negotiations remain unresolved.
The full implementation of the Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) by 2008, will mean that The Gambia will lose duty revenue estimated at US$40.719 million per annum representing a significant loss of 91%, said Lamin Damfa, a Senior Staff at the Ministry of Trade.
Central Africa seems an unlikely candidate for a free trade deal with the European Union.
While the labour movement supports the negotiation of Economic Partnership Agreements (EPAs) between the Caribbean and the European Union (EU), there must be greater discussion with trade unions and civil society, and specially included treatment for women.
The Sugar Association of the Caribbean (SAC) is calling for a substantial improvement in the current access of sugar to the European Union (EU) market.
Despite the unpreparedness of West African governments to negotiate the Economic Partnership Agreements with the European Union, there are clear indications that the EPAs will be signed by the December 31, 2007 deadline, Tetteh Hormeku, Head of Programmes at Third World Network, has said.
