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ECOWAS

Economic Community Of West African States

Nigeria "threatens" neighbours in wake of bilateral EPAs
2-Jun-2008 IPS
West African states are working at salvaging regional relations with a renewed attempt to collectively negotiate an economic partnership agreement (EPA) with the European Union.
Ecowas EPA - the facts and the falacies
22-Jan-2008 AllAfrica.com
From Ken Ukaoha, National Association of Nigerian Traders (NANTS)
West Africa bloc aims for EU trade deal by June ’09
18-Dec-2007 Reuters
West African countries agreed on Monday on an 18-month timetable to negotiate and sign a regional economic partnership agreement with Europe by June 2009, top officials said.
Ghana joins rush to secure EU trade
13-Dec-2007 The Guardian
Ghana signed an interim trade deal with the European Union on Thursday, joining a rush among poor countries to safeguard exports to the world’s biggest trading bloc after preferential terms expire at the end of the year.
Ivory Coast initials interim trade deal with EU
10-Dec-2007 Reuters
Ivory Coast inked an interim trade accord with the European Union on Friday as the bloc pushes for deals with as many former European colonies as possible before preferential trade terms expire on December 31. The top cocoa producer is the first West African country to sign a bilateral deal, breaking ranks with the region’s ECOWAS economic community.
EU Trade Negotiations Heading for a Stalemate
25-Nov-2007
West Africa is sticking by its demand for an extended World Trade Organisation waiver for trade with Europe, rejecting an EU call for new interim commercial deals by December 31.
TUC to go to court over EPA
25-Nov-2007 Myjoyonline
The Ghana Trades Union Congress (GTUC) on Friday served notice to government that it would avail itself of all legal instruments to stop the signing and/or implementation of either the full Economic Partnership Agreement or the EPA-light.
‘Ghana may lose $150m to EPA’
6-Nov-2007 Modern Ghana
Nigeria could also lose $680 million annually if the agreements were implemented, according to the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria
’No postponement of EPA deadline’ - EU
20-Oct-2007 AllAfrica.com
The European Union has rejected calls by West African states to postpone the end-of-year deadline for concluding a free trade agreement.
India, West Africa to tighten bilateral ties
17-Oct-2007 Mathaba
India decided on October 16 to extend a line of credit of 250 million USD and 100 million USD worth of agricultural and industrial supplying for the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS). It also agreed to sign within the next six months a bilateral investment promotion and protection treaty with Nigeria.
West Africa to miss EU trade partnership deadline
6-Oct-2007 Reuters
West Africa will miss a Dec. 31 deadline to sign a new trade partnership with the European Union and hopes to keep its preferential commercial privileges for up to two years while it negotiates, a West African official said.
Draft EU-ECOWAS EPA (April 2007)
22-Sep-2007
Time to revive active structures for EPA debate...as civil society and EU disagree on sticking points
13-Sep-2007 Statesman
Amidst controversy, trade liberalisation is fast gaining prominence in Sub-Saharan Africa as the December deadline for the signing of the Economic Partnership Agreement draws near. This is attributed partly to the wave of globalisation, regional and bilateral agreements and mainly, pressure from the World Trade Organisation and the European Union.
’EPA is terrorism act’
1-Aug-2007 GBF
The EU is doing almost everything possible, both legally and illegally, to get the EPA signed, according to Kwabena Okai Ofosuhene of the Abibimman Foundation in Ghana. “It is very unfortunate and sad that there are key elements within the ECOWAS Commission who are working secretly to enable the EU achieve this.”
EC grants Ecowas 44.8m Euros
18-Jul-2007
The European Commission has approved a total of 44.8 million Euros to support regional integration in West Africa over a period of five years, from 2007 to 2011.
MANEG lists problems of export in ECOWAS sub-region
4-Jun-2007
Manufacturers Association of Nigeria Export Group (MANEG), an arm of the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN) has listed the impediments to pro-export growth in the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) sub-region.
EU says West Africa trade talks may stretch to 2008
29-Apr-2007
The European Commission is pressing West African governments to negotiate a deal on trade before a WTO waiver on current trade perks expires on December 31, but acknowledged on Thursday a short extension may be needed.
Nigeria: FG urged to spearhead Ecowas negotiations
18-Apr-2007 AllAfrica.com
The Federal Government has been called upon to take the lead in driving the Economic Community of West African States-Economic Partnership Agreement (ECOWAS-EPA) negotiations in order to guide the developing region towards effective regional integration and improved trade practices.
Nigeria: Between trade agreements and poverty impact
4-Apr-2007 AllAfrica.com
EU Trade Commissioner Peter Mandelson admitted that if the EPA negotiation does not finish this year, there are options available which he termed as expensive and not so good.
Ecowas looks for good partnership
15-Mar-2007
The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has made it clear that it is looking for partnership and development-centred agreements with the European Union and not one that will stifle and ruin their economies.