Brussels, 28/10/2005 (Agence Europe) - The European Commissioner for Trade, Peter Mandelson, met a delegation of ministers from the countries of West Africa in Brussels on 27 October to prepare for the next stage of negotiations for an Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) between the EU and these countries. It is worth noting that West Africa and Central Africa were the first ACP countries to start negotiations for this new type of agreement, which the EU is currently negotiating with six regions of Africa, Caribbean and the Pacific.
In Brussels on Thursday, Commissioner Mandelson received a delegation headed up by Soumaïla Cissé, president of the Economic and Monetary Union of West Africa. The parties established a timetable for negotiations in 2006, and decided to start work on drawing up the agreement and discussing questions linked to market access and the impact of the agreement on productive activities in the region. According to a press release, Mr Mandelson said that this "marks a turning point in negotiations". "We are ready to begin discussing the trade rules that will support the sustained growth and real development that West Africa needs. This will do much more than simply guarantee preferential access to the EU market, it will help establish a secure framework for investment, jobs and a sound business environment", Mr Mandelson stressed, adding: "We are also deeply committed to helping the region manage the economic change this involves".