EPA Negotiations: African countries continental review

Abstract

In July, the ACP-EU Committee of Ambassadors agreed upon a joint declaration setting out the modalities and terms of reference for the implementation of the Review of the Economic Partnership Agreements (EPAs) negotiations set out in the Cotonou Agreement’s Article 37.4. This article states “The Parties will regularly review the progress of the preparations and negotiations and will in 2006 carry out a formal and comprehensive review of the arrangements planned for all countries to ensure that no further time is needed for preparations or negotiations.” The declaration states that the review will be undertaken jointly in each of the regional EPA negotiations and include the structure, process and substance of the negotiations.