Interim Economic Partnership Agreement between the EU and the Central Africa Party

Along with a number of general aims, the agreement sets out several specific objectives.

• Establish a basis for the negotiation of an EPA which will:
  • help reduce poverty;
  • promote regional integration, economic cooperation and good governance in Central Africa;
  • increase Central Africa’s production, export and supply capacities; improve Central Africa’s ability to attract foreign investment; and
  • increase its capacities in terms of trade policy and other trade-related issues.

  The agreement covers a number of political and economic aspects including the following.

  • Development cooperation to help Central Africa achieve the goals of the EPA, specifically through capacity building and modernisation in areas such as:
    • developing basic regional infrastructure;
    • agriculture and food security;
    • industry, diversification and competitiveness of economies;
    • strengthening regional integration;
    • improving the business environment; and
    • supporting the implementation of trade-related rules.

    DATE OF ENTRY INTO FORCE

    The agreement has provisionally applied since 4 August 2014.

    BACKGROUND

    The EU’s political and economic relations with African, Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) countries are governed by the Cotonou Agreement (see summary). A new ACP-EU Partnership Agreement is currently in negotiation. The existing agreement was due to expire in 2020 but the application of its provisions has been extended until 30 November 2021.

    For more information, see:

    • EU-Africa relations ( Council of the European Union )
    • Cameroon and the EU ( European External Action Service ).

    MAIN DOCUMENTS

    Interim Agreement with a view to an Economic Partnership Agreement between the European Community and its Member States, of the one part, and the Central Africa Party, of the other part — Protocol (OJ L 57, 28.2.2009, pp. 2-360)

    Successive amendments to the agreement have been incorporated into the original text. This consolidated version is of documentary value only.

    Council Decision 2009/152/EC of 20 November 2008 on the signature and provisional application of the interim agreement with a view to an Economic Partnership Agreement between the European Community and its Member States, of the one part, and the Central Africa Party, of the other part (OJ L 57, 28.2.2009, p. 1)

    RELATED DOCUMENTS

    Joint communication to the European Parliament and the Council — Towards a comprehensive Strategy with Africa (JOIN(2020) 4 final, 9.3.2020)

    Notice concerning the provisional application of the Interim Partnership Agreement between the European Community, of the one part, and the Central Africa Party of the other part (OJ L 254, 28.8.2014, p. 1)

    Partnership agreement between the members of the African, Caribbean and Pacific Group of States of the one part, and the European Community and its Member States, of the other part, signed in Cotonou on 23 June 2000 — Protocols — Final Act — Declarations (OJ L 317, 15.12.2000, pp. 3-353)