Commerce & marketsen
Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA)
Trade agreement between the EU and ACP (Africa, Caribbean, Pacific) countries aimed at fostering development through progressive trade integration.
Context and objectives
Economic Partnership Agreements (EPAs) are trade agreements between the European Union and Africa, Caribbean, and Pacific (ACP) countries and regions. They were negotiated under the Cotonou Agreement (2000) to replace non-reciprocal trade preferences that were no longer compatible with WTO rules.
Key characteristics
EPAs differ from standard FTAs through:
- Accepted asymmetry: the EU opens its market immediately, while ACP countries liberalise progressively (over 15-25 years)
- A focus on development: capacity building assistance, technical cooperation
- A regional dimension: encouraging integration among ACP countries
- Flexible safeguard clauses to protect infant industries
Current status
Several EPAs are in force:
- CARIFORUM (Caribbean): comprehensive EPA in force since 2008
- West Africa (ECOWAS): advanced negotiations
- East Africa (EAC): ratification ongoing
- Southern Africa (SADC): in force since 2016
- Pacific: interim EPA with Papua New Guinea and Fiji
Implications for operators
- EPAs offer duty-free access to the European market for ACP products (subject to rules of origin)
- EPA rules of origin provide for cumulation among ACP countries and with the EU
- European operators progressively benefit from improved access to ACP markets