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Economic Partnership Agreements

What are EPAs?

EPAs are regional trade agreements between the European Union (EU) and African, Caribbean and Pacific countries (ACPs). Thirty-five countries in seven ACP regions signed up to EPAs in December 2007

Why are these negotiations needed?

In short: To ensure that the trade relationship between the EU and ACP is in line with current World Trade Organisation (WTO) rules.
Since 1976 an agreement between the EU and ACPs (which include 77 developing countries) has allowed ACP countries one way access to EU markets. This means that while ACP producers are able to export to the EU, they have remained protected from European competition at home.
However, under WTO rules, developed counties – such as those in the EU – can only give this kind of one way access to two groups. It must either be available to all developing countries or only to the very poorest group, known as “Least Developed Countries”. As a result, several developing countries outside the ACP regions successfully challenged the EU to comply with this rule. The EU and the ACP were given until the end of 2007 to implement new arrangements that will fit in with WTO rules.

The aim of economic and trade cooperation is to advance the smooth and gradual integration of the ACP countries into the world market, with the emphasis on promoting sustainable development and contributing to poverty eradication in ACP countries.

The UK Government is working closely with the European Commission (who have been negotiating these agreements on behalf of the EU), EU Member States and ACP countries to ensure that these agreements are truly development focused and designed to deliver long-term development, economic growth and poverty reduction in ACP countries.

In March 2005, the UK Government published a position paper on EPAs and continued to raise dialogue on EPAs with EU member states and the European Commission throughout the UK Presidency of the EU in the latter part of 2005. (The position paper can be viewed by clicking on the related documents link).

The Department for International Development (DFID) is providing support to strengthen the trade policymaking process in the ACP countries through a number of programmes. In addition DFID has undertaken a considerable programme of research on key development issues within EPAs, such as reciprocity, inclusion of investment and competition and transitional assistance. Further information can be found on the DFID website in the related external links.

At a meeting in May 2008 the General Affairs and External Relations Council adopted the Council Conclusions on the Economic Partnership Agreements. These conclusions have the support of all member states. For full details of these conclusions see attached paper in the external links. 

For the latest news on the EPA negotiations please use the link on the right.

contacts:

Fiona Francois
Tel: 0207 023 0955
E-mail:f-francois@dfid.gov.uk