Publication

This paper discusses the Economic Partnership Agreements that were initialled between the EU and African, Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) countries at the end of 2007. The author argues that the agreements do not represent a historic step in EU-ACP relations. The majority of the agreements concluded are neither complete nor comprehensive trade agreements. The fact that liberalization schedules had been drawn up hastiliy in many cases and not coordinated with those of neigboring countries has significant implications for future regional integration processes. It will be a difficult task for the EU to enforce the implementation and to harmonize the agreements.