PRESS RELEASE -14TH ROUND EPA NEGOTIATIONS BETWEEN THE EU AND ESA STATES

The 14th round of Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) negotiations between the European Union (EU) and Eastern and Southern Africa states (ESA5), which include Comoros, Madagascar, Mauritius, Seychelles, and Zimbabwe, was held in Brussels from 29 September to 04 October 2024.

The negotiations were co-chaired by Mr. Boodhoo, ESA Chief Technical Negotiator, and Mr. Rammos, DG Trade, EU Commission.

Key Progress in Negotiations

The latest round saw significant progress, with three additional chapters completed: Competition Policy, State-Owned Enterprises, and Transparency in Public Procurement. This brings the total number of provisionally closed chapters to six out of the 12 thematic areas under negotiation.

Constructive discussions were held across all key topics, including Trade in Services, Investment Liberalisation, Digital Trade, Economic and Development Cooperation (EDC), Rules of Origin (ROO), Trade and Sustainable Development (TSD), Dispute Settlement, and Intellectual Property Rights (IPR), including Geographical Indications (GI).

In the Trade in Services, Investment Liberalisation, and Digital Trade (TiSIL&DT) negotiations, both parties focused on clarifying offers and advancing discussions on critical issues such as the movement of natural persons and digital trade.

Notable progress was also made in Intellectual Property Rights (IPR), particularly on aligning with international treaties and enforcement provisions. However, differences remain on Geographical Indications.

On Rules of Origin, discussions were held on outstanding product-specific rules, although some sensitive products, including sugar and tuna, require further high-level discussions.

On Dispute Settlement and Institutional provisions, the Parties reached consensus on the General exception provisions

Next Steps

Both sides agreed to continue working through intersessional virtual meetings to resolve the remaining issues. The next round of negotiations is scheduled for January 2025

Sources : ITD