Windhoek, Namibia, 29 April 2008
Economic Partnership Agreements (EPA):
It was acknowledged that the EPA negotiations had presented the SADC Region with
complex challenges. The SADC EPA should contribute to strengthening regional
integration, reinforcing the gains that have so far been made in advancing objectives
and programmes of regional integration. Members were informed that it was difficult,
from an economic perspective, to establish customs unions in a region with
overlapping memberships such as the SADC Region, as such configurations would
have the effect of undermining and complicating intra-regional trade.
Members expressed concern that the adjustment costs of EPAs should be financed, as
well as the need for support to address supply-side, infrastructural and general
capacity constraints to ensure the effective participation of ACP States in world trade.
In particular, Members called for more effective parliamentary involvement in the
EPA process. Whilst acknowledging that parliamentarians would not be able to
participate in the actual negotiation process, it was thought that there was scope for
parliamentarians to call for information and regular updates through parliamentary
mechanisms. Members emphasised that the development dimension should be the
cornerstone of the EPAs.
Author(s): ACP-EU Joint Parliamentary Assembly