1. ACP-EU Negotiations of Economic Partnership Agreements:
Threat or opportunity for regional integration in Southern and Eastern Africa ?
Christoph Wagner, European Commission
Brussels, June 2005

2. All-ACP phase (Oct. 2002- Oct. 2003)
convergence
Instruments for development
Support regional integration
Maintain and improve current level of market access
WTO compatibility - with SDT to be provided for all ACPs, in particular LDCs and vulnerable small, landlocked and island countries
divergence
Level of discussion of certain issues (all-ACP vs regional)
Sequencing negotiations and aid
Need for additional funding over and above the EDF

3. Regions Central Africa – CEMAC + Sao Tomé
Brazzaville, 4th October
West Africa – ECOWAS + Mauritania
Cotonou, 6th October
Southern and Eastern Africa – 16 Countries
Mauritius, 7th February 2004
Caribbean – Kingston (Jamaica), 16 April 2004
SADC EPA - 7 SADC States
Windhoek, 8 July 2004
Pacific - ACP members of Pacific Forum
10 September 2004

4. Road map: broad consensus on calendar
Introductory «priority setting» phase (3 months)
Convergence on strategic approach (until + mid 2005)
Understanding on regional integration policies and priorities and on level of integration to be achieved when EPA implementation starts
Structuring and consolidation (until + mid 2006) :
Remaining trade related issues to be included in EPA
Prepare liberalisation scenarios
draft outline of EPA
Finalisation of negotiations (until end of 2007)
Negotiation of market access
Finalisation of EPA
ESA:
indicatively
Identify sensitive list of imports – safeguard clausure
Market access: agriculture, rules of origin, SPS, TBT
Services
Trade related issues

5. ESA Status of negotiations
Opening on 7 February Roadmap – copy available
July 2004 meetings: defined work for following months: fishery, market access and development
Only fishery went ahead – ESA regional framework agreement – technical meeting in October 2004 in Madagascar showed differences
December 04 to February 05 exchange of notes, mostly on fishery
May 2005 senior level brainstorming meeting – clarified and put talks back on track
Next senior level meeting probably September to launch talks on market access, agriculture and development
Ministerial level for end of the year
ESA:
indicatively
Identify sensitive list of imports – safeguard clausure
Market access: agriculture, rules of origin, SPS, TBT
Services
Trade related issues

6. ESA Challenges
Delays: region to organise negotiating structures: national and regional level; important role of BXL based ambassadors
Nomination of regional chief negotiating advisor to push process in BXL
Financing of meetings and background analysis – regional, national and all-ACP funds but problem of procedures
ESA:
indicatively
Identify sensitive list of imports – safeguard clausure
Market access: agriculture, rules of origin, SPS, TBT
Services
Trade related issues

7. SADC Status of negotiations
Opening on 8 July 2004
Technical and senior level meetings: agreed on a report on SADC Trade integration in view of establishing the starting line for the future EPA (by September 2005)
Also discussed progress reports on SPS and TBT with a view to facilitate SADC access to EU legislation
Next Technical negotiations take place in Brussels on June 2005
ESA:
indicatively
Identify sensitive list of imports – safeguard clausure
Market access: agriculture, rules of origin, SPS, TBT
Services
Trade related issues

8. Geographical configuration
Overall Challenges
Geographical configuration
SADC – ESA
SACU – TDCA
EAC – Tanzania
South-South vs North-South focus
Capacity constraints
Link to development co-operation

9. Opportunity for regional integration – ‘spaghetti bowl’
Conclusion
Opportunity for regional integration – ‘spaghetti bowl’
Comprehensive approach; involvement of stakeholders
Objective is economic development of the region
ESA:
indicatively
Identify sensitive list of imports – safeguard clausure
Market access: agriculture, rules of origin, SPS, TBT
Services
Trade related issues