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EPAs

Ghana to finalise decision on EPA by end of October
9-Sep-2013 Economy Times
The Government of Ghana will by end of October this year declare its stance on the European Union-Economic Partnership Agreement (EU- EPA) with barely three years down the line for the deadline of negotiation.
Namibia and the Economic Partnership Agreement
16-Aug-2013 Pambazuka
Namibia’s principled refusal to get bullied into an agreement against what it considered its own best interests has served as an example for other countries originally more willing to give in to the pressure exerted by EU
EPA negotiations postponed again
31-Jul-2013
The European Union (EU) Trade Commissioner, Karel De Gucht, says the EU wants local industries to benefit from the trade agreement and to create added value and jobs.
Kenya mulls a breakaway: As EU trade beckons, East African Community urges restraint
30-Jul-2013 IBT
Tentative plans to sign an Economic Partnership Agreement with the European Union could bolster some of Kenya’s vital sectors, but could also distance Kenya from its neighbors in the East African Community, or EAC.
EU wants Kenya to lead
25-Jul-2013
European Commissioner for Trade, Karel de Gucht, was last week in Nairobi to drum up momentum for Kenya to quickly lead in signing the Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA).
EU visit to partners
17-Jul-2013
EU Commissioner for Trade, Karel De Gucht, was in Windhoek this week to discuss ways to strengthen trade and investment relations, and in particular comprehensive economic partnership agreements (EPAs).
Rethink new trade pact with Europe, MPs urge
9-Jul-2013 The Nation
Members of the National Assembly last week opposed a push to have Kenya sign a trade treaty with Europe until outstanding issues had been resolved.
Namibia: Grape farmers panic over EPA delay
20-Jun-2013 The Namibian
Namibian farmers warn that if the EPA is not signed, the grape industry would “die a sudden death,” as they will not be able to compete against zero-rated tax status producers in the EU market such as Chile, South Africa and Peru.
Europe hits back in war of words with the Pacific over trade
18-Jun-2013 Radio Australia
Plans for a comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement are in jeopardy after the Pacific Island nations accused Europe of failing to respond to their requests and threatened to pull-out if Europe is unable to meet their deadline of the end of this year.
Civil Society Bahamas engaged in Economic Partnership Agreement talks
17-Jun-2013 Bahamas Weekly
Civil Society Organizations are concerned about Bahamians having a proper understanding of the EPA and its beneficial impact.
EU reveals its EPA ‘cards’
14-Jun-2013 Islands Business
When Pacific trade negotiators sit down later this month with their European Commission counterparts to carve out the finer details of their Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA), the pressure points would be fishery, market access and services.
Pacific-EU trade relations on a knife edge
13-Jun-2013 ABC
Pacific trade ministers have still had no reply to their threat to pull out of long-running negotiations with Europe for an Economic Partnership Agreement.
Ghana: Gov’t to engage stakeholders before signing EPA
12-Jun-2013 MyJoy
Ghana now has 15 months to sign the full Agreement. This is after the EU reviewed the deadline from 2016 to October next year.
EU, Africa Economic Partnership Agreements imbalanced - Mkapa
25-May-2013
Retired President Benjamin William Mkapa has argued Inter Action Council European members to press on their governments to ensure that the Economic Partnership Agreements (EPAs) they are negotiating with African countries do not threaten the development aspirations of Africa.
SADC scrambles to meet EU trade deadline
22-May-2013 Mmegi
Trade ministers from SADC member states met in Gaborone yesterday as part of efforts to thrash out a new inclusive Economic Partnership Agreement with the European Union ahead of next year’s deadline.
Writing the Struggle - EPAs: The European game is over, comrades
7-May-2013
The current episode between some African countries and European Union over the Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) proves to a great extent what Franz Fanon talks about when he says: “The new day which is already at hand must find us firm, prudent and resolute.”
State clears the air on EPA controversy
7-May-2013
Kenya has moved to allay fears over reports in international media that it is among seven African countries blacklisted by the European Union for failing to sign Economic Partnership Agreements.
EU urges southern Africa to open up its markets
6-May-2013 DW
The European Parliament is now applying more pressure and has announced that if Cameroon and other sub-Saharan African countries do not sign by early 2014 that they will allow the EU free access to their markets, they will lose all trade benefits.
National Consultation On EPA Coming
7-Apr-2013
The Minister of Trade and Industry, Calle Schlettwein, yesterday told the National Assembly that he would organise a national consultation on the Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) with the European Union for the end of this month.
Namibia: EU tightens trade screws
25-Mar-2013 The Namibian
Namnibia has just over 18 months to conclude controversial trade negotiations with the European Union or lose its duty- and quota-free access for beef, fish and grapes to EU markets.