Economic Partnership Agreements

EPA and the Treaties of the European Union

Description of EPA provided by the European Union Commission: Economic Partnership Agreements: The ACP countries and the EU have agreed to enter into economic integration agreements – concluding newWTO compatible trading arrangements, progressively removing barriers to trade between them and enhancing co-operation in all areas related to trade. To this end, Economic Partnership Agreements will be negotiated with ACP regions, engaged in a regional economic integration process. Economic Partnership Agreements (EPAs) are thus intended to consolidate regional integration initiatives within the ACP. They are also aimed at providing an open, transparent and predictable framework for goods and services to circulate freely, thus increasing competitiveness of the ACPand ultimately facilitating the transition towards their full participation in a liberalising world economy – thereby complementing any initiative taken in the multilateral context. Formal negotiations started in September 2002 and EPAs will enter into force by 1 January 2008 at the latest. The non-reciprocal Lomé IV trade preferences will continue to be applied during the interim period (2000-2007).

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Popular Treaties Topics

• Treaties of the United Nations (UN)
• Types of Treaties
• International Treaties
• Famous Treaties
• Law of Treaties
• Numbered Treaties

EPA and the Treaties of the European Union

Description of EPA provided by the European Union Commission: Economic Partnership Agreements: The ACP countries and the EU have agreed to enter into economic integration agreements – concluding newWTO compatible trading arrangements, progressively removing barriers to trade between them and enhancing co-operation in all areas related to trade. To this end, Economic Partnership Agreements will be negotiated with ACP regions, engaged in a regional economic integration process. Economic Partnership Agreements (EPAs) are thus intended to consolidate regional integration initiatives within the ACP. They are also aimed at providing an open, transparent and predictable framework for goods and services to circulate freely, thus increasing competitiveness of the ACPand ultimately facilitating the transition towards their full participation in a liberalising world economy – thereby complementing any initiative taken in the multilateral context. Formal negotiations started in September 2002 and EPAs will enter into force by 1 January 2008 at the latest. The non-reciprocal Lomé IV trade preferences will continue to be applied during the interim period (2000-2007).

Resources

See Also

Popular Treaties Topics

• Treaties of the United Nations (UN)
• Types of Treaties
• International Treaties
• Famous Treaties
• Law of Treaties
• Numbered Treaties