Why would the EPAs involve more “successful integration” than the Lome Conventions?
Dick Naezer (DN): After more than 30 years of bilateral trade with Europe, the ACP (Africa, Caribbean and Pacific countries) still exports just a few basic commodities, most of which fetch lower prices than they did 20 years ago. Old recipes have not promoted diversification, competitiveness, growth. And they are no longer compatible with WTO (World Trade Organisation) rules on non-discrimination and have been successfully challenged. New solutions are necessary and urgent. The EPAs are the agreements that the EU is negotiating with the ACP that are meant to replace the trade chapters of the Cotonou Agreement as the trade preferences of this agreement expired in 2007. We had until that date to negotiate new agreements that are WTO compatible. The EPAs are intended to be broad agreements, helping first of all to build increased, balanced and sustainable trade between the two regions. They will change our relationship from one that offers tariff preferences an eroding lifeline to one tha
