Post 2015: Global Action for an Inclusive and Sustainable Future

in turn is highly dependent on Eu preferential
trade arrangements for the import of textiles and
clothing.
Europe is also an important trading partner for
lIcs’ imports, accounting for €9.8 billion of the
total value in 2005 and €19.3 billion in 2011. While
lIcs’ trade with rest of the world has increased
over the last ten years, their trade with Eu has
remained stable (Figure 8.4). this also suggests
that trading partners besides the Eu are becoming
more important for lIcs, a trend that is likely to
continue.
the European commission’s most recent
communication on trade and development (com,
2012c) recognises that the landscape of trade and
investment has changed dramatically in recent
years. In response, it has proposed major reforms
to its trade and development instruments. the
changes to Eu trade policy between now and
2015 may serve either to reinforce or undermine
achievement of the mDGs, as well as lIcs’ existing
patterns of production and trade.
8.5.1 Economic Partnership Agreements
and the post-2015 development agenda
It is particularly important for the non-lDcs
to enter into Epa negotiations if the african,
caribbean and pacific (acp) countries are to
retain a level of market access similar to what they
enjoyed under the trade-related aspects of the
cotonou partnership agreement (cpa) (2000–
2020). It is argued that Epas provide more liberal
and predictable market access for acp countries
(com, 2012c). In the cotonou agreement, the Eu
and acp agreed to negotiate regional Epas between
acp regions and the Eu. as a result, since the end
of the lomé convention trade regime and the Wto
waiver that allowed it to continue under the cpa
until 31 December 2007 108 , some acp have either
initialled or signed reciprocal free trade agreements
(Ftas) known as acp–Eu Epas 109 , while others
are yet to do so. Some have also been granted nonreciprocal
preferential market access under the GSp
or the Eba (all the lDcs).
regional economic integration has been one of
the cornerstones of the Epa negotiations (bilal et
al., 2009). the European commission recognises
that regional economic integration would
expand market opportunities for acp producers,
facilitate investment and broaden development
possibilities (com, 2012c). While Epas have
fostered integration in some regions (for example
in the caribbean with the carIForum), in
other regions opinions are divided on whether
its impacts have been so positive. there are
concerns, for instance, about regional economic
communities (rEcs) that are customs unions,
and the impact on them if some members sign
Epas while others do not. For instance, in the
case of EcoWaS, only Ghana and côte d’Ivoire
have initialled Epas (cf. côte d’Ivoire case study).
If these interim Epas would start to be applied,
this will require internal adjustments in order to
implement the common External tariff, which
may impact the anticipated economic and political
gains from integration (Walker, 2009). by 2015,
there is likely to be important trade liberalisation
in acp countries through the Epa process, which
will affect regional integration in some rEcs.
8.5.2 Reform of the EU’s GSP
the current Eu trade preference includes three
important arrangements for developing countries
with differing trade, development and financial
needs. the benefits come in the form of reduced
to zero customs tariffs on imports of goods. these
are: (1) Everything but arms, exclusively for
lDcs; (2) general arrangement for all developing
countries; and (3) special incentive arrangement for
108 the acp-Eu cotonou partnership agreement (cpa) continues until 2020.
109 Since 2007, 36 of the 76 acp states that took part in the Epa negotiations have initialled an agreement, and most of these have gone on to sign
either full or interim agreements.
poSt-2015: Global actIon For an IncluSIvE anD SuStaInablE FuturE
The changes to
EU trade policy
between now and
2015 may serve
either to reinforce
or undermine
achievement of
the MDGs, as well
as LICs’ existing
patterns of
production and
trade.
157