Considerations on COM(2016)18 - Conclusion of the Economic Partnership Agreement with the SADC EPA States

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dossier COM(2016)18 - Conclusion of the Economic Partnership Agreement with the SADC EPA States.
document COM(2016)18 EN
date January 22, 2016
 
(1) On 12 June 2002 the Council authorised the Commission to open negotiations for Economic Partnership Agreements with the African, Caribbean and Pacific Group of States.

(2) The negotiations have been concluded and the Economic Partnership Agreement between the European Union and its Member States, of the one part, and the SADC EPA States (comprising Botswana, Lesotho, Mozambique, Namibia, Swaziland and South Africa), of the other part ('the Agreement'), was initialled on 15 July 2014.

(3) In accordance with Council Decision No [..] of [..], 2 the Agreement was signed on [..] subject to its conclusion at a later date.

(4) The Agreement has been provisionally applied since [..] pending its entry into force.

(5) The 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, calls for the conclusion of WTO-compatible Economic Partnership Agreements.

(6) The Agreement should be approved on behalf of the European Union.