About EPAs

Economic Partnership Agreements are new free trade agreements between the EU and a group of developing
countries in a region. They are to be operative from the end of 2007, but the poorest countries already
have supposed access to EU markets, so there is little gain for them in EPAs.

Under EPAs developing countries must open up their markets even more than is required by the WTO.

This involves:
- fully eliminating import duties and quotas on imports
- progressive liberalisation of services
- opening up of capital markets
- liberalising the three 'new issues' refused by them at the WTO in Cancun.

Shamefully, this is being negotiated under the EU's aid package - the Cotonou Agreement - which is
supposed to be poverty focused.

Comhlámh may be able to provide a speaker for an event you organise in Ireland in relation to EPAs, so let
us know if we can be of assistance. Contact ali@comhlamh.org or call 01 4783490