DATA Statement on Africa-EU Trade 

11.26.07

DATA says the European Union should refrain from pressuring African countries to sign detailed Economic Partnership Agreements (EPAs) by the end of the year.
 
EU arm-twisting has seen two out of four African regional groups, the East African Community and some members of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) initial EPAs in recent days, although the West and Central African groups have thus far not committed to sign deals.
 
“These agreements do not adequately address the needs of Africa’s developing economies”, said Oliver Buston, European Director of DATA. “Current negotiations do not deliver Africans a good enough deal on market access, rules of origin or aid for trade.”
 
DATA will release its proposal for an African Trade Initiative in the lead up to the EU-AU summit in Lisbon in early December.