Monday, 17. November 2014, 12:20 - Friday, 21. November 2014, 12:20

Free Trade at the crossroads: the EU-Africa Economic Partnership Agreements

Examining the past and lessons for the future, Conference Brussels

The European Union has shifted to a new more aggressive trade policy regime. One of the key trials to the ACP – EU relationship in the last decade has been the protracted Economic Partnership Agreements (EPA). After twelve years of negotiations 2014 now presents perhaps one of the most challenging times as the EPA negotiations come to an end. The unilaterally imposed deadline by the European Commission has caused a lot of hectic negotiation activities in particular of those countries and negotiation groups who have no Least Developed Country status.

In line with the new EU trade policy contours, negotiations between the US and the EU on the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP) started in July 2013. While the consequences of the negotiations are difficult to precisely foretell, ACP member states will be affected whatever the outcome owing to the fact that there is most likely to be vigorous policy and regulatory reforms under negotiation in the TTIP.

The Rosa-Luxemburg-Stiftung is organizing a conference in Brussels to continue the discussion on ongoing changes in the free trade negotiations, in particular its potential impact on East Africa. The conference is aiming to create space for discussion and discourses for different stakeholders (NGOs, academics, parliamentarians in Africa, Europe) to examine the ongoing dynamics in the Multilateral Trading System and to discuss the role of transnational social movements, parliamentarians and other stakeholders in shaping trade and development policy.

In co-operation with:
Rosa-Luxemburg-Stiftung, Northafrica Office
Rosa-Luxemburg-Stiftung, Eastafrica Office