Brussels, 28/07/2014 (Agence Europe) - On Monday 28 July, the European Commission announced that the interim economic partnership agreement (EPA) between the European Union and Cameroon will enter into force in the coming days. This agreement on the asymmetrical liberalisation of trade has just been ratified by Cameroon, which notified the EU of its decision on 25 July. Application of the EPA, which is planned for 4 August, will be confirmed when the member states have completed their ratification procedures.
The interim EPA will guarantee duty- and quota-free access to the EU market for all products from Cameroon in return for the progressive opening of the Cameroon market to European exports over a transitional period running until 2023 - with the exception of some sensitive industrial and agricultural products. The agreement also contains arrangements on trade defence instruments, dispute settlement and development cooperation.
The interim EU-Central Africa EPA, which was concluded on 17 December 2007, was signed by the EU and Cameroon on 15 January 2009 and approved by the European Parliament in June 2013. It is open to the other countries in the region (Gabon, Equatorial Guinea, the Central African Republic, the Republic of Congo, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Sao Tome y Principe, and Chad) that would like to join it. European Commissioner for Trade Karel De Gucht “very much encourage[s] other countries in the region to join Cameroon in the EU Central Africa EPA”. (AN)