Reviewing the Progress of the SADC-EU EPA Negotiations

Source : European Research Office, June 2007

The basis for assessing the current EC draft SADC-EU EPA is provided by the March 2006 SADC framework proposal entitled “A Framework for the EPA Negotiations between SADC and the EU”.

This proposal set out the main elements of the approach which the SADC configuration member states favoured. It therefore provides the basis for assessing the extent to which the EC is taking on board SADC concerns in the process of EPA negotiations.

Part 1 of this five part review looks at the EU market access offer and provisions contained in the May 2007 EC draft SADC-EU EPA in the light of the approach advocated in the SADC framework proposal of March 2006.

Part 2 of this five part review looks at the provisions contained in the May 2007 EC draft SADC-EU EPA with regard to accommodating SADC configuration members’ concerns over their reciprocal market opening commitments, in the context of the proposals contained in the March 2006 SADC proposal to take as the starting point for the negotiations in this area the existing provisions of the TDCA.

Part 3 of this five part review looks at the conflicting approaches to trade related areas, services and investment regulation under EPAs, arising from the provisions of the May 2007 EC draft SADC-EU EPA and the March 2006 SADC framework proposal.

Part 4 of this five part review looks at the obligations which the May 2007 EC draft SADC-EU EPA would place on least developed Mozambique, Angola and Tanzania, in the light of the approach advocated in the March 2006 SADC framework proposal.

The EU Market Access Offer - Part 1
Accommodating SADC Concerns on Reciprocal Market Access Opening - Part 2
Commitments on Trade Related Areas, Services and Investment Regulation - Part 3
Obligations to be Taken On By Mozambique, Angola and Tanzania - Part 4
Binding Commitments on Development Assistance Support - Part 5