Overview of the CARIFORUM/EU EPA Process
What are EPAs?
EPAs or Economic Partnership Agreements are a form of trade partnership, required by the Cotonou Agreement, which
covers economic relations between the EU and African, Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) States. CARIFORUM, i.e. CARICOM
plus the Dominican Republic, is one of six ACP regional groups. EPA negotiations within the ACP region were formally
launched on September 27th, 2002 and with CARIFORUM, on April 16, 2004 in Kingston, Jamaica. The deadline for
completion of EPA negotiations was December 31st, 2007, as proposed by the World Trade Organisation (WTO).
How did the EPA come about?
Goods and services coming from ACP countries previously enjoyed preferential access to the EU markets under the Lomé
Agreement. However, with the onset of globalization and trade liberalization, and increasing opposition from WTO
states, the ACP countries and the EU agreed to develop new WTO-compatible trading arrangements, progressively
removing barriers to trade between them and enhancing cooperation in all areas relevant to trade. These new
arrangements would be termed Economic Partnership Agreements (EPAs) and fell under the new Cotonou Agreement, which
defined economic relations between the EU and the ACP since 2000.
Overview of the CARIFORUM/EU EPA Process
What are EPAs?
EPAs or Economic Partnership Agreements are a form of trade partnership, required by the Cotonou Agreement, which covers economic relations between the EU and African, Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) States. CARIFORUM, i.e. CARICOM plus the Dominican Republic, is one of six ACP regional groups. EPA negotiations within the ACP region were formally launched on September 27th, 2002 and with CARIFORUM, on April 16, 2004 in Kingston, Jamaica. The deadline for completion of EPA negotiations was December 31st, 2007, as proposed by the World Trade Organisation (WTO).
Overview of the CARIFORUM/EU EPA Process
What are EPAs?
EPAs or Economic Partnership Agreements are a form of trade partnership, required by the Cotonou Agreement, which covers economic relations between the EU and African, Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) States. CARIFORUM, i.e. CARICOM plus the Dominican Republic, is one of six ACP regional groups. EPA negotiations within the ACP region were formally launched on September 27th, 2002 and with CARIFORUM, on April 16, 2004 in Kingston, Jamaica. The deadline for completion of EPA negotiations was December 31st, 2007, as proposed by the World Trade Organisation (WTO).
How did the EPA come about?
Goods and services coming from ACP countries previously enjoyed preferential access to the EU markets under the Lomé Agreement. However, with the onset of globalization and trade liberalization, and increasing opposition from WTO states, the ACP countries and the EU agreed to develop new WTO-compatible trading arrangements, progressively removing barriers to trade between them and enhancing cooperation in all areas relevant to trade. These new arrangements would be termed Economic Partnership Agreements (EPAs) and fell under the new Cotonou Agreement, which defined economic relations between the EU and the ACP since 2000.
Click here for more information...