Progress was made on all trade issues between the EU on the one hand, and the Comoros, Madagascar, Mauritius, Seychelles and Zimbabwe on the other, in the sixth round of negotiations for an enhanced Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA). These discussions took place virtually from 22 to 26 November.
The EU has concluded EPAs with 14 African countries, 14 Caribbean countries, and four Pacific countries. These agreements fully open the European market to partner countries, but not vice versa, so that developing countries have an export advantage.
In its report published on 9 December, the European Commission refers to a constructive approach. Progress has been made on trade barriers, rules of origin, agriculture, and intellectual property.
The questions that remain open concern mainly the implementation of the Agreement and the means to implement it. South and East African countries, for example, reported difficulties in implementing high standards of trade and sustainable development. Therefore, they ask to link the level of ambition to the level of technical and financial support received.
The same applies to sanitary and phytosanitary standards and the overall implementation of the agreement.
See the European Commission’s report: https://bit.ly/30kIuQa (Original version in French by Léa Marchal)