Interim Economic Partnership Agreement between the EU and the Central Africa Party

SUMMARY OF:

Interim Agreement with a view to an Economic Partnership Agreement between the EU and its Member States, of the one part, and the Central Africa Party, of the other part

Decision 2009/152/EC — on the signature and provisional application of the interim agreement with a view to an Economic Partnership Agreement between the EU and its Member States, of the one part, and the Central Africa Party, of the other part

WHAT IS THE AIM OF THE AGREEMENT AND THE DECISION?

The agreement creates an initial basis for a full Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) between the EU and the Economic and Monetary Community of Central Africa (CEMAC).
It comprises concrete, enforceable commitments on certain issues (such as trade in goods, trade defence, technical barriers to trade, sanitary and phytosanitary measures and trade facilitation) and a basis for negotiation on additional elements.
The decision marks the signing of the agreement on behalf of the EU and its provisional application. The EU and Cameroon concluded negotiations on an interim EPA in 2007. The European Parliament approved the agreement in June 2013 and it was ratified by Cameroon in July 2014. Provisional application became effective from 4 August 2014.

KEY POINTS

Central Africa Party

Negotiations for a comprehensive EPA with the whole Central Africa region (Cameroon, Central African Republic, Chad, Congo, Democratic Republic of Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, São Tomé and Príncipe) were launched in 2003. The EPA implemented between the EU and Cameroon is a step towards this full regional agreement. Indeed, it offers the possibility to diversify and deepen the partnership according to the needs and objectives of its beneficiaries. Its vocation being regional, it is open to any country or group of countries of the region interested in acceding to it.
The interim agreement allows Cameroon, in the absence of a regional EPA, to continue benefiting from commercial preferences which it would have risked losing, in line with the rules of the World Trade Organization (WTO).

Objectives

Along with a number of general aims, the agreement sets out several specific objectives.

Establish a basis for the negotiation of an EPA which will:
- help reduce poverty;
- promote regional integration, economic cooperation and good governance in Central Africa;
- increase Central Africa’s production, export and supply capacities; improve Central Africa’s ability to attract foreign investment; and
- increase its capacities in terms of trade policy and other trade-related issues.
Foster the smooth and gradual integration of Central Africa into the economy of the continent as well as the global economy, in accordance with its political choices and its development priorities.
Diversify its exports to the EU and strengthen existing relations between the parties on the basis of solidarity and mutual interest.
Create an agreement that is compatible with WTO rules.
Establish a basis for negotiating and implementing an effective, predictable and transparent legal base for trade, investment, competition, intellectual property, public procurement and sustainable development in the Central African region.
Set up a roadmap to complete negotiations in certain areas mentioned above which had not been completed when this agreement was concluded.

Scope

The agreement covers a number of political and economic aspects including the following.

Development cooperation to help Central Africa achieve the goals of the EPA, specifically through capacity building and modernisation in areas such as:
- developing basic regional infrastructure;
- agriculture and food security;
- industry, diversification and competitiveness of economies;
- strengthening regional integration;
- improving the business environment; and
- supporting the implementation of trade-related rules.
Trade regime for goods, including rules on custom duties, trade facilitation and trade defence measures such anti-dumping measures, technical barriers to trade, sanitary and phytosanitary measures and forestry governance.
Establishment, trade in services and e-commerce.
A commitment to continue negotiations on trade-related rules, including on intellectual property, public procurement and sustainable development.
Dispute avoidance and settlement.
Institutional rules, including setting up an EPA committee to administer all aspects of the agreement.

DATE OF ENTRY INTO FORCE

The agreement has provisionally applied since 4 August 2014.

BACKGROUND

The EU’s political and economic relations with African, Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) countries are governed by the Cotonou Agreement (see summary). A new ACP-EU Partnership Agreement is currently in negotiation. The existing agreement was due to expire in 2020 but the application of its provisions has been extended until 30 November 2021.

For more information, see:

EU-Africa relations (Council of the European Union)
Cameroon and the EU (European External Action Service).

MAIN DOCUMENTS

Interim Agreement with a view to an Economic Partnership Agreement between the European Community and its Member States, of the one part, and the Central Africa Party, of the other part — Protocol (OJ L 57, 28.2.2009, pp. 2-360)

Successive amendments to the agreement have been incorporated into the original text. This consolidated version is of documentary value only.

Council Decision 2009/152/EC of 20 November 2008 on the signature and provisional application of the interim agreement with a view to an Economic Partnership Agreement between the European Community and its Member States, of the one part, and the Central Africa Party, of the other part (OJ L 57, 28.2.2009, p. 1)