Brussels, 30/09/2003 (Agence Europe) - The 77 ACP (Africa/Caribbean/Pacific) States and the European Union are to conclude the initial phase of their trade negotiations by the end of this week. This stage is vital for the regional negotiation phase with the two African regional integration bodies- CEMAC for central Africa and CEDEAO for western Africa, both of which have declared themselves ready to negotiate economic partnership agreements (EPAs) with the EU (see EUROPE of 25 September, p.13).
Initially planned for 25 and 26 September, an extraordinary Council of ACP Ministers devoted solely to the EPAs will be held in Brussels on Wednesday, under the chairmanship of Mompat Meraphe, Botswana's Foreign Affairs and International Co-operation Minister.
It will be followed on Thursday afternoon by the second joint ministerial negotiation session between the whole ACP group and the European Union.
The aim is to reach agreement on the finality and content of future EPAs before the opening ceremonies of regional negotiations with CEMAC and CEDEAO, respectively on 4 October in Brazzaville (Congo) and on 6 October in Cotonou (Benin).
European Commissioners Pascal Lamy (Trade) and Poul Nielson (Development) will both take part in the "all ACP" negotiation session in Brussels, and in both official ceremonies in the pioneer African sub-regions of the ACP for the negotiation of EPAs to be applicable in 2008.