Description
This paper focuses on the options on trade issues faced by the countries of the African, Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) group as they negotiated with the European Union (EU) on a framework for future ACP-EU co-operation. It builds on the extensive analysis of ACP–EU trade and aid co-operation in Commonwealth Secretariat Economic Paper 32. The main topics are: pressures on the Lome arrangements; economic effects of free trade areas proposed by the EU; pointers from the EU’s trade agreement with Morocco and its negotiation with South Africa; the feasibility of enhancements of the EU’s Generalised System of Preferences; a way ahead for the ACP countries in negotiation.
Contents
Abbreviations
Executive Summary
The Forces Undermining Lomé
The Terms of a REPA
A Strategy
Introduction to the Report
1. Costs and Benefits of Replacing Lomé
Introduction
Why Lomé is under pressure
The EU’s proposals
The way forward
The Stimulus of WTO Rules
The Stimulus from Liberalisation
The Stimulus of Common Agricultural Policy Reform
The Stimulus of EU Enlargement
2. Terms of a REPA
The Economic Effects of an FTA
The Agreement with Morocco
The South African FTA
3. A Proposal for a Strategy in the WTO Context
The WTO Waiver
The Feasibility of an Enhanced GSP
The Way Ahead
References