Ethiopia and EPA Negotiation 2008 - FES Ethiopia

1.1 The main areas of difference between the Interim Agreements of ESA
and EAC 60
Article Number ESA Text EAC Text Comment
General EPA
Objectives
Article 2 a
Specific
objectives of
this Agreement
Article 3.1 b)
Article 3.2
Principles
Article 4 c
Article 4 d, e, f,
TRADE REGIME
FOR GOODS
Objectives
Article 5 b)
Contains references to
the CPA and the MDGs
No such text or
references
The deadline for
negotiations is 31-12-08
Calls for asymmetry in
the liberalisation of
trade.
d - spells out special
and differential
treatment for LDCs
e - allows variable
geometry in the region
f - the inclusiveness of
development
cooperation for all ESA
states
the promotion of trade
between the Parties
and the acceleration
of export led growth to
enable the integration
of ESA countries into
the global economy;
No such references
To facilitate
continuation of trade
by the EAC Partner
States under terms no
less favourable than
those under the
Cotonou Agreement;
The deadline for
negotiations is 31-07-09
States emphatically
that asymmetry will be
in favour of the EAC.
These issues are not
reflected in the EAC
text.
Not included in the
EAC text.
The EAC text focuses
mainly on the
establishment of a
strengthened and strategic
trade and development
partnership consistent with
the objective of sustainable
development
This is a basic ideal of
negotiating the EPA and
should be included in the
ESA text.
The negotiations for the full
EPA will be given more time
in EAC. We should try to
understand why.
This should be clearly
stated in the ESA text too.
The ESA text is better suited
to Ethiopia's needs.
The ESA text more reflects
the needs of Ethiopia.
60 This section is largely based on the work done by James Watson on the main difference
between ESA and EAC text.
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