Economic Partnership Agreements
Trade and development arrangements between the EU and the African, Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) countries - designed to facilitate the ACPs' integration into the world economy through gradual trade liberalisation and improved trade-related cooperation. They are set within the framework of the EU-ACP Partnership Agreement (known as the Cotonou agreement) that governs relations between the EU and the ACP countries.
Under the EPAs, EU markets are immediately and fully opened, while the ACPs have 15 years to open to EU imports (with protection for sensitive imports) and even up to 25 years in exceptional cases.
Related content:
Economic Partnership Agreements (EPAs)
EPA - Eastern and Southern Africa
EPA SADC: Southern African Development Community