EPA negotiations: State of play and strategic considerations for way forward
South Centre | February 2008
Analytical Note
EPA NEGOTIATIONS: STATE OF PLAY AND STRATEGIC CONSIDERATIONS FOR THE WAY FORWARD
SYNOPSIS
This Analytical Note describes the process that led to the conclusion, in the last
hours of 2007, of interim EPAs between the EU and 20 ACP countries as well as of
a comprehensive EPA with the 15 CARIFORUM states. It overviews the contents of
these agreements and comments on some elements related to their consistency with
WTO rules. On each topic, the note highlights the developmental implications of the
texts that have been initialled. Finally, it overviews some of the main challenges that
ACP governments face now in the EPA negotiations and provides suggestions
regarding strategic options for the way forward.
