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2016/0005(NLE) EU/SADC EPA States Economic Partnership Agreement

Progress: Awaiting final decision

RoleCommitteeRapporteurShadows
Lead INTA LAMBSDORFF Alexander Graf (icon: ALDE ALDE) MATO Gabriel (icon: PPE PPE), SCHUSTER Joachim (icon: S&D S&D), CAMPBELL BANNERMAN David (icon: ECR ECR), KELLER Ska (icon: Verts/ALE Verts/ALE)
Committee Opinion DEVE SILVA PEREIRA Pedro (icon: S&D S&D) Lola SÁNCHEZ CALDENTEY (icon: GUE/NGL GUE/NGL), Adam SZEJNFELD (icon: PPE PPE)
Committee Opinion ENVI
Lead committee dossier:
Legal Basis:
TFEU 207-p4, TFEU 209-p2, TFEU 207-p3, TFEU 218-p6a

Events

2016/09/14
   EP - Decision by Parliament
Details

The European Parliament adopted by 417 votes to 216, with 66 abstentions, a legislative resolution on the draft Council decision on the conclusion, on behalf of the European Union, of the Economic Partnership Agreement between the European Union and its Member States, of the one part, and the SADC EPA States, of the other part.

Parliament gave its consent to the conclusion of the Agreement given that it has the potential to bring fundamental positive change and contribute to sustainable economic growth and deepened intra-regional trade and integration between the SADC EPA States (Botswana, Lesotho, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa and Swaziland).

Text adopted by Parliament, 1st reading/single reading

Documents
T8-0342/2016
2016/09/14
   EP - Results of vote in Parliament
Documents
Results of vote in Parliament
2016/09/13
   EP - Debate in Parliament
Documents
Go to the page
2016/07/19
   EP - Committee report tabled for plenary, 1st reading/single reading
Details

The Committee on International Trade adopted the report by Alexander Graf LAMBSDORFF (ADLE, DE) on the draft Council decision on the conclusion, on behalf of the European Union, of the Economic Partnership Agreement between the European Union and its Member States, of the one part, and the SADC EPA States, of the other part. The committee recommended the European Parliament to give its consent to the conclusion of the Agreement.

The committee recalled that the Economic Partnership Agreements (EPAs), which are trade and development partnerships between the African, Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) States and the European Union, are aimed at supporting trade, regional integration and the gradual integration of ACP countries into the world economy, along with fostering their sustainable development.

While insisting on the overall favourable effects of the SADC EPA, Members stated that it is important to strengthen the monitoring provisions in the agreement. They called for the establishment of a sustainable-development dialogue and relevant participative processes for monitoring. Members stressed their regret at the absence of a Joint Parliamentary Committee and a Joint Consultative Committee to improve this type of dialogue.

Overall, Members recommended giving consent to the SADC - EU Economic Partnership Agreement given that it has the potential to bring fundamental positive change and contribute to sustainable economic growth and deepened intra-regional trade and integration.

However, the trade and partnership agreement can only be a small part of a larger strategy . The SADC states should conduct trade and development-friendly domestic policies and pursue structural reforms . The regulatory framework that attracts investment is another element in the equation. These countries should also consider using the potential of the EPA by going beyond trade in goods only and also address services in the future.

According to Members, the EU should provide assistance in terms of capacity building and trade related assistance.

Committee report tabled for plenary, 1st reading/single reading

Documents
A8-0242/2016
2016/07/14
   EP - Vote in committee
2016/07/12
   European Parliament - Committee opinion
Documents
PE580.693
2016/07/07
   EP - Committee referral announced in Parliament
2016/06/23
   European Parliament - Amendments tabled in committee
Documents
PE585.491
2016/06/22
   European Parliament - Amendments tabled in committee
Documents
PE585.472
2016/06/20
   EC - Legislative proposal published
Details

PURPOSE: to conclude the Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) between the European Union and its Member States, of the one part, and the SADC EPA States, of the other part.

PROPOSED ACT: Council Decision.

ROLE OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT: Council may adopt the act only if Parliament has given its consent to the act.

BACKGROUND: 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.

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, South Africa and Swaziland ), of the other part, was initialled on 15 July 2014.

It is now necessary to conclude this Agreement on behalf of the European Union.

CONTENT: with this proposal, the Council is called upon to adopt a Decision to approve, on behalf of the European Union and its Member States, the Economic Partnership Agreement between the European Union and its Member States, of the one part, and the SADC EPA States, of the other part.

Scope and purpose of the Agreement : the Agreement contains provisions on:

cooperation, trade in goods, trade and sustainable development, customs and trade facilitation, technical barriers to trade, sanitary and phytosanitary measures, dispute settlement, geographical indications and rules of origin.

It also contains important trade provisions offering asymmetric market access to the EPA States , which allows them to shield sensitive sectors from liberalisation.

The Agreement includes institutional provisions and monitoring to ensure the correct application of the Agreement.

For further details on the proposal, please refer to the summary of the Commission’s initial legislative proposal from 22.1.2016 .

Legislative proposal

Documents
10107/2016
2016/05/31
   European Parliament - Committee draft report
Documents
PE583.875
2016/05/23
   Council of the EU - Document attached to the procedure
Documents
05730/2016
2016/04/28
   EP - SILVA PEREIRA Pedro (S&D) appointed as rapporteur in DEVE
2016/02/15
   EP - LAMBSDORFF Alexander Graf (ALDE) appointed as rapporteur in INTA
2016/01/22
   European Commission - Document attached to the procedure
Documents
COM(2016)0008
Go to the pageEur-Lex
2016/01/22
   European Commission - Preparatory document
Details

PURPOSE: to conclude the Economic Partnership Agreement between the European Union and its Member States, of the one part, and the SADC EPA States, of the other part.

PROPOSED ACT: Council Decision.

ROLE OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT: Council may adopt the act only if Parliament has given its consent to the act.

BACKGROUND: 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.

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 (BLMNS) and South Africa ).

The negotiations were completed at the level of the Chief Negotiators on 15 July 2014 in Pretoria. The Agreement was initialled on 15 July 2014 in Pretoria.

It should be noted that:

Botswana, Namibia and Swaziland currently benefit from preferential market access to the EU under the arrangements laid down in the Market Access Regulation (MAR) ; Lesotho and Mozambique currently benefit from the arrangements under the 'Everything But Arms' initiative, since they are classified among the Least Developed Countries (LDCs); trade between the EU and South Africa is currently governed by the Trade, Development and Cooperation Agreement (TDCA).

The SADC EPA will provide a uniform access regime for the BLMNS countries. For South Africa, the SADC EPA will replace the relevant provisions of Titles II and III of the TDCA, dealing respectively with trade and trade related issues.

It is now necessary to conclude this Agreement on behalf of the European Union.

CONTENT: with this proposal, the Council is called upon to adopt a Decision to approve, on behalf of the European Union and its Member States, the Economic Partnership Agreement between the European Union and its Member States, of the one part, and the SADC EPA States, of the other part.

Scope and purpose of the Agreement : the Agreement contains provisions on:

cooperation, trade in goods, trade and sustainable development, customs and trade facilitation, technical barriers to trade, sanitary and phytosanitary measures, dispute settlement, geographical indications, rules of origin.

The Agreement also contains rendez-vous clauses on trade in services and investment, competition policy, intellectual property rights, and public procurement.

Trade provisions : the SADC EPA is a development-oriented trade agreement . It offers asymmetric market access to the SADC EPA States , which allows them to shield sensitive sectors from liberalisation; it provides a large number of safeguards and a clause for infant industry protection; it contains provisions on the rules of origin that facilitate exports; and it eliminates the use of export subsidies in trade between the Parties.

The EPA guarantees duty-free, quota-free access to the EU market for Botswana, Lesotho, Mozambique, Namibia, and Swaziland, with the exception of arms and ammunition.

South Africa will benefit from new market access additional to the TDCA, that currently governs its trade relations with the EU. The EU will obtain meaningful new market access into the Southern African Customs Union (SACU) and will have the security of a bilateral agreement with Mozambique, one of the LDCs in the region.

The EPA is designed to be compatible with the operation of SACU, in particular by fully harmonising SACU's import trade regime . SACU presents a single external schedule of tariffs and quota arrangements applied to imports from the EU.

The SADC EPA also contains a chapter on Trade and Sustainable Development that links the trade agreement to EU objectives in the field of labour, environment, and climate change.

Institutional provisions and monitoring : the Parties undertake to continuously monitor the operation and impact of this Agreement.

The institutional provisions establish a Joint Council at Ministerial level to be responsible for the operation and implementation of the Agreement and to monitor the fulfilment of its objectives. The Joint Council shall be assisted by a Trade and Development Committee.

Furthermore, the Agreement:

establishes a Special Committee on Geographical Indications and Trade in Wines and Spirits with the purpose of monitoring the development of the Protocol on GIs and trade in wines and spirits; establishes a Special Committee on Customs and Trade Facilitation that will monitor the implementation and operation of the chapter on Customs and Trade Facilitation and the Protocol on rules of origin; contains a provision that allows each Party to request consultations regarding any matter under the Trade and Sustainable Development chapter. Dialogue and cooperation may include other relevant authorities and stakeholders.

BUDGETARY IMPLICATIONS: the proposal is without budgetary implications on Union expenditure but will have a budgetary impact on the revenue side. Thus, foregone duty is estimated to amount to EUR 33.3 million upon full implementation of the Agreement after ten years. This estimate is based on the average volume of imports over the period 2012-2014. With the exception of a number of products imported from South Africa, imports from the SADC EPA Group already enter the European Union duty free.

Preparatory document

Documents
COM(2016)0018
Go to the pageEur-Lex
2016/01/22
   EP - Preparatory document
Details

PURPOSE: to conclude the Economic Partnership Agreement between the European Union and its Member States, of the one part, and the SADC EPA States, of the other part.

PROPOSED ACT: Council Decision.

ROLE OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT: Council may adopt the act only if Parliament has given its consent to the act.

BACKGROUND: 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.

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 (BLMNS) and South Africa ).

The negotiations were completed at the level of the Chief Negotiators on 15 July 2014 in Pretoria. The Agreement was initialled on 15 July 2014 in Pretoria.

It should be noted that:

Botswana, Namibia and Swaziland currently benefit from preferential market access to the EU under the arrangements laid down in the Market Access Regulation (MAR) ; Lesotho and Mozambique currently benefit from the arrangements under the 'Everything But Arms' initiative, since they are classified among the Least Developed Countries (LDCs); trade between the EU and South Africa is currently governed by the Trade, Development and Cooperation Agreement (TDCA).

The SADC EPA will provide a uniform access regime for the BLMNS countries. For South Africa, the SADC EPA will replace the relevant provisions of Titles II and III of the TDCA, dealing respectively with trade and trade related issues.

It is now necessary to conclude this Agreement on behalf of the European Union.

CONTENT: with this proposal, the Council is called upon to adopt a Decision to approve, on behalf of the European Union and its Member States, the Economic Partnership Agreement between the European Union and its Member States, of the one part, and the SADC EPA States, of the other part.

Scope and purpose of the Agreement : the Agreement contains provisions on:

cooperation, trade in goods, trade and sustainable development, customs and trade facilitation, technical barriers to trade, sanitary and phytosanitary measures, dispute settlement, geographical indications, rules of origin.

The Agreement also contains rendez-vous clauses on trade in services and investment, competition policy, intellectual property rights, and public procurement.

Trade provisions : the SADC EPA is a development-oriented trade agreement . It offers asymmetric market access to the SADC EPA States , which allows them to shield sensitive sectors from liberalisation; it provides a large number of safeguards and a clause for infant industry protection; it contains provisions on the rules of origin that facilitate exports; and it eliminates the use of export subsidies in trade between the Parties.

The EPA guarantees duty-free, quota-free access to the EU market for Botswana, Lesotho, Mozambique, Namibia, and Swaziland, with the exception of arms and ammunition.

South Africa will benefit from new market access additional to the TDCA, that currently governs its trade relations with the EU. The EU will obtain meaningful new market access into the Southern African Customs Union (SACU) and will have the security of a bilateral agreement with Mozambique, one of the LDCs in the region.

The EPA is designed to be compatible with the operation of SACU, in particular by fully harmonising SACU's import trade regime . SACU presents a single external schedule of tariffs and quota arrangements applied to imports from the EU.

The SADC EPA also contains a chapter on Trade and Sustainable Development that links the trade agreement to EU objectives in the field of labour, environment, and climate change.

Institutional provisions and monitoring : the Parties undertake to continuously monitor the operation and impact of this Agreement.

The institutional provisions establish a Joint Council at Ministerial level to be responsible for the operation and implementation of the Agreement and to monitor the fulfilment of its objectives. The Joint Council shall be assisted by a Trade and Development Committee.

Furthermore, the Agreement:

establishes a Special Committee on Geographical Indications and Trade in Wines and Spirits with the purpose of monitoring the development of the Protocol on GIs and trade in wines and spirits; establishes a Special Committee on Customs and Trade Facilitation that will monitor the implementation and operation of the chapter on Customs and Trade Facilitation and the Protocol on rules of origin; contains a provision that allows each Party to request consultations regarding any matter under the Trade and Sustainable Development chapter. Dialogue and cooperation may include other relevant authorities and stakeholders.

BUDGETARY IMPLICATIONS: the proposal is without budgetary implications on Union expenditure but will have a budgetary impact on the revenue side. Thus, foregone duty is estimated to amount to EUR 33.3 million upon full implementation of the Agreement after ten years. This estimate is based on the average volume of imports over the period 2012-2014. With the exception of a number of products imported from South Africa, imports from the SADC EPA Group already enter the European Union duty free.

Preparatory document

Documents
COM(2016)0018
Go to the page Eur-Lex

Documents

Activities

Votes

A8-0242/2016 - Alexander Graf Lambsdorff - Approbation #

2016/09/14 Outcome: +: 417, -: 216, 0: 66
PL DE RO GB BG CZ PT SK HU FI HR DK LT NL BE LV SI MT SE EE LU IE CY AT EL FR ES IT
Total
49
90
31
68
17
21
21
12
16
12
9
11
8
24
21
8
8
6
19
6
6
10
5
15
20
67
50
68
icon: PPE PPE
201

Poland PPE

22

Germany PPE

Abstain (1)

Dieter-Lebrecht KOCH
32

Romania PPE

12

Bulgaria PPE

7

Czechia PPE

7

Portugal PPE

7

Slovakia PPE

5

Hungary PPE

10

Finland PPE

2

Croatia PPE

4

Denmark PPE

For (1)

Bendt BENDTSEN
1

Lithuania PPE

2

Netherlands PPE

5

Belgium PPE

4

Latvia PPE

4

Slovenia PPE

5

Malta PPE

3

Sweden PPE

4

Estonia PPE

For (1)

Tunne KELAM
1

Luxembourg PPE

3

Ireland PPE

4

Cyprus PPE

Abstain (1)

Lefteris CHRISTOFOROU
1

Austria PPE

4

Greece PPE

5

France PPE

18

Spain PPE

15

Italy PPE

14
icon: S&D S&D
178

Poland S&D

5

Germany S&D

Abstain (1)

Udo BULLMANN
25

Romania S&D

14

United Kingdom S&D

Abstain (1)

Clare MOODY
20

Bulgaria S&D

Abstain (1)

Georgi PIRINSKI
4

Czechia S&D

Against (1)

Jan KELLER
4

Portugal S&D

Abstain (1)

Carlos ZORRINHO
8

Slovakia S&D

Against (1)

Monika BEŇOVÁ
4

Hungary S&D

Against (1)

Tibor SZANYI
4

Finland S&D

2

Croatia S&D

2

Denmark S&D

2

Lithuania S&D

2

Netherlands S&D

For (1)

Paul TANG

Against (2)

Agnes JONGERIUS, Kati PIRI
3

Belgium S&D

Abstain (1)

Kathleen VAN BREMPT
4

Latvia S&D

1

Slovenia S&D

For (1)

Tanja FAJON
1

Malta S&D

3

Sweden S&D

Against (1)

Soraya POST
6

Estonia S&D

For (1)

Marju LAURISTIN
1

Luxembourg S&D

For (1)

Mady DELVAUX
1

Ireland S&D

For (1)

Nessa CHILDERS
1

Cyprus S&D

2

Austria S&D

4

Greece S&D

Abstain (1)

Eva KAILI
4

France S&D

For (1)

Isabelle THOMAS
11

Spain S&D

12

Italy S&D

28
icon: ECR ECR
69

Poland ECR

19

Germany ECR

6

Romania ECR

For (1)

Monica MACOVEI
1

United Kingdom ECR

19

Bulgaria ECR

2

Czechia ECR

2

Slovakia ECR

3

Finland ECR

2

Croatia ECR

For (1)

Ruža TOMAŠIĆ
1

Denmark ECR

4

Lithuania ECR

1

Netherlands ECR

2

Belgium ECR

4

Latvia ECR

For (1)

Roberts ZĪLE
1

Greece ECR

Against (1)

Notis MARIAS
1

Italy ECR

1
icon: ALDE ALDE
63

Germany ALDE

3

Romania ALDE

3

United Kingdom ALDE

1

Bulgaria ALDE

4

Czechia ALDE

4

Portugal ALDE

2

Finland ALDE

4

Croatia ALDE

For (1)

Ivan JAKOVČIĆ
1

Denmark ALDE

2

Lithuania ALDE

2

Netherlands ALDE

7

Belgium ALDE

6

Latvia ALDE

1

Slovenia ALDE

For (1)

Ivo VAJGL
1

Sweden ALDE

3

Estonia ALDE

3

Luxembourg ALDE

For (1)

Charles GOERENS
1

Ireland ALDE

For (1)

Marian HARKIN
1

Austria ALDE

For (1)

Angelika MLINAR
1

France ALDE

5

Spain ALDE

8
icon: NI NI
13

Poland NI

Abstain (1)

Janusz KORWIN-MIKKE
1

Germany NI

Against (1)

Martin SONNEBORN

Abstain (1)

Udo VOIGT
2

United Kingdom NI

For (1)

Diane DODDS
1

Hungary NI

2

Greece NI

4

France NI

3
icon: EFDD EFDD
42

Poland EFDD

1

Germany EFDD

Abstain (1)

Beatrix von STORCH
1

United Kingdom EFDD

19

Czechia EFDD

For (1)

Petr MACH
1

Sweden EFDD

2

France EFDD

1

Italy EFDD

For (1)

Giulia MOI
17
icon: ENF ENF
36

Poland ENF

Abstain (1)

Stanisław ŻÓŁTEK
1

Germany ENF

Against (1)

Marcus PRETZELL
1

Romania ENF

Abstain (1)

Laurenţiu REBEGA
1

United Kingdom ENF

Against (1)

Janice ATKINSON
1

Netherlands ENF

3

Belgium ENF

Against (1)

Gerolf ANNEMANS
1

Austria ENF

3

France ENF

Abstain (1)

Sophie MONTEL
20

Italy ENF

5
icon: Verts/ALE Verts/ALE
45

Germany Verts/ALE

12

United Kingdom Verts/ALE

6

Finland Verts/ALE

Against (1)

Heidi HAUTALA
1

Croatia Verts/ALE

Against (1)

Davor ŠKRLEC
1

Denmark Verts/ALE

Against (1)

Margrete AUKEN
1

Lithuania Verts/ALE

Against (1)

Bronis ROPĖ
1

Netherlands Verts/ALE

Against (1)

Judith SARGENTINI
1

Belgium Verts/ALE

2

Latvia Verts/ALE

Against (1)

Tatjana ŽDANOKA
1

Slovenia Verts/ALE

Against (1)

Igor ŠOLTES
1

Sweden Verts/ALE

4

Estonia Verts/ALE

Abstain (1)

Indrek TARAND
1

Luxembourg Verts/ALE

Against (1)

Claude TURMES
1

Austria Verts/ALE

3

France Verts/ALE

5

Spain Verts/ALE

4
icon: GUE/NGL GUE/NGL
51

Germany GUE/NGL

8

United Kingdom GUE/NGL

Against (1)

Martina ANDERSON
1

Czechia GUE/NGL

3

Portugal GUE/NGL

4

Finland GUE/NGL

Against (1)

Merja KYLLÖNEN
1

Denmark GUE/NGL

Against (1)

Rina Ronja KARI
1

Netherlands GUE/NGL

3

Ireland GUE/NGL

4

Cyprus GUE/NGL

2

Greece GUE/NGL

6

France GUE/NGL

4

Spain GUE/NGL

11

Italy GUE/NGL

3
AmendmentsDossier
9 2016/0005(NLE)
2016/06/21 INTA 7 amendments...
source: 585.472
2016/06/23 DEVE 2 amendments...
source: 585.491

History

(these mark the time of scraping, not the official date of the change)

2024-12-18Show (31) Changes | Timetravel
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2024-01-30Show (2) Changes | Timetravel
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2022-12-04Show (1) Changes | Timetravel
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2022-07-18Show (2) Changes | Timetravel
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2021-05-05Show (5) Changes | Timetravel
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2021-05-03Show (3) Changes | Timetravel
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2021-04-24Show (7) Changes | Timetravel
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2021-04-12Show (4) Changes | Timetravel
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2021-03-03Show (4) Changes | Timetravel
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2021-02-24Show (2) Changes | Timetravel
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2021-02-16Show (10) Changes | Timetravel
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2020-12-09Show (3) Changes | Timetravel
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2020-01-07Show (4) Changes | Timetravel
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2019-08-07Show (4) Changes | Timetravel
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2019-07-06Show (17) Changes | Timetravel
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  • date: 2016-06-22T00:00:00 docs: url: http://www.europarl.europa.eu/sides/getDoc.do?type=COMPARL&mode=XML&language=EN&reference=PE585.472 title: PE585.472 type: Amendments tabled in committee body: EP
  • date: 2016-07-12T00:00:00 docs: url: http://www.europarl.europa.eu/sides/getDoc.do?type=COMPARL&mode=XML&language=EN&reference=PE580.693&secondRef=02 title: PE580.693 committee: DEVE type: Committee opinion body: EP
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  • date: 2016-01-22T00:00:00 type: Initial legislative proposal published body: EC docs: url: http://www.europarl.europa.eu/RegData/docs_autres_institutions/commission_europeenne/com/2016/0018/COM_COM(2016)0018(ANN)_EN.pdf title: COM(2016)0018 url: https://eur-lex.europa.eu/smartapi/cgi/sga_doc?smartapi!celexplus!prod!DocNumber&lg=EN&type_doc=COMfinal&an_doc=2016&nu_doc=0018 title: EUR-Lex summary: PURPOSE: to conclude the Economic Partnership Agreement between the European Union and its Member States, of the one part, and the SADC EPA States, of the other part. PROPOSED ACT: Council Decision. ROLE OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT: Council may adopt the act only if Parliament has given its consent to the act. BACKGROUND: 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. 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 (BLMNS) and South Africa ). The negotiations were completed at the level of the Chief Negotiators on 15 July 2014 in Pretoria. The Agreement was initialled on 15 July 2014 in Pretoria. It should be noted that: Botswana, Namibia and Swaziland currently benefit from preferential market access to the EU under the arrangements laid down in the Market Access Regulation (MAR) ; Lesotho and Mozambique currently benefit from the arrangements under the 'Everything But Arms' initiative, since they are classified among the Least Developed Countries (LDCs); trade between the EU and South Africa is currently governed by the Trade, Development and Cooperation Agreement (TDCA). The SADC EPA will provide a uniform access regime for the BLMNS countries. For South Africa, the SADC EPA will replace the relevant provisions of Titles II and III of the TDCA, dealing respectively with trade and trade related issues. It is now necessary to conclude this Agreement on behalf of the European Union. CONTENT: with this proposal, the Council is called upon to adopt a Decision to approve, on behalf of the European Union and its Member States, the Economic Partnership Agreement between the European Union and its Member States, of the one part, and the SADC EPA States, of the other part. Scope and purpose of the Agreement : the Agreement contains provisions on: cooperation, trade in goods, trade and sustainable development, customs and trade facilitation, technical barriers to trade, sanitary and phytosanitary measures, dispute settlement, geographical indications, rules of origin. The Agreement also contains rendez-vous clauses on trade in services and investment, competition policy, intellectual property rights, and public procurement. Trade provisions : the SADC EPA is a development-oriented trade agreement . It offers asymmetric market access to the SADC EPA States , which allows them to shield sensitive sectors from liberalisation; it provides a large number of safeguards and a clause for infant industry protection; it contains provisions on the rules of origin that facilitate exports; and it eliminates the use of export subsidies in trade between the Parties. The EPA guarantees duty-free, quota-free access to the EU market for Botswana, Lesotho, Mozambique, Namibia, and Swaziland, with the exception of arms and ammunition. South Africa will benefit from new market access additional to the TDCA, that currently governs its trade relations with the EU. The EU will obtain meaningful new market access into the Southern African Customs Union (SACU) and will have the security of a bilateral agreement with Mozambique, one of the LDCs in the region. The EPA is designed to be compatible with the operation of SACU, in particular by fully harmonising SACU's import trade regime . SACU presents a single external schedule of tariffs and quota arrangements applied to imports from the EU. The SADC EPA also contains a chapter on Trade and Sustainable Development that links the trade agreement to EU objectives in the field of labour, environment, and climate change. Institutional provisions and monitoring : the Parties undertake to continuously monitor the operation and impact of this Agreement. The institutional provisions establish a Joint Council at Ministerial level to be responsible for the operation and implementation of the Agreement and to monitor the fulfilment of its objectives. The Joint Council shall be assisted by a Trade and Development Committee. Furthermore, the Agreement: establishes a Special Committee on Geographical Indications and Trade in Wines and Spirits with the purpose of monitoring the development of the Protocol on GIs and trade in wines and spirits; establishes a Special Committee on Customs and Trade Facilitation that will monitor the implementation and operation of the chapter on Customs and Trade Facilitation and the Protocol on rules of origin; contains a provision that allows each Party to request consultations regarding any matter under the Trade and Sustainable Development chapter. Dialogue and cooperation may include other relevant authorities and stakeholders. BUDGETARY IMPLICATIONS: the proposal is without budgetary implications on Union expenditure but will have a budgetary impact on the revenue side. Thus, foregone duty is estimated to amount to EUR 33.3 million upon full implementation of the Agreement after ten years. This estimate is based on the average volume of imports over the period 2012-2014. With the exception of a number of products imported from South Africa, imports from the SADC EPA Group already enter the European Union duty free.
  • date: 2016-06-20T00:00:00 type: Legislative proposal published body: EC docs: url: http://register.consilium.europa.eu/content/out?lang=EN&typ=SET&i=ADV&RESULTSET=1&DOC_ID=10107%2F16&DOC_LANCD=EN&ROWSPP=25&NRROWS=500&ORDERBY=DOC_DATE+DESC title: 10107/2016 summary: PURPOSE: to conclude the Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) between the European Union and its Member States, of the one part, and the SADC EPA States, of the other part. PROPOSED ACT: Council Decision. ROLE OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT: Council may adopt the act only if Parliament has given its consent to the act. BACKGROUND: 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. 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, South Africa and Swaziland ), of the other part, was initialled on 15 July 2014. It is now necessary to conclude this Agreement on behalf of the European Union. CONTENT: with this proposal, the Council is called upon to adopt a Decision to approve, on behalf of the European Union and its Member States, the Economic Partnership Agreement between the European Union and its Member States, of the one part, and the SADC EPA States, of the other part. Scope and purpose of the Agreement : the Agreement contains provisions on: cooperation, trade in goods, trade and sustainable development, customs and trade facilitation, technical barriers to trade, sanitary and phytosanitary measures, dispute settlement, geographical indications and rules of origin. It also contains important trade provisions offering asymmetric market access to the EPA States , which allows them to shield sensitive sectors from liberalisation. The Agreement includes institutional provisions and monitoring to ensure the correct application of the Agreement. For further details on the proposal, please refer to the summary of the Commission’s initial legislative proposal from 22.1.2016 .
  • date: 2016-07-07T00:00:00 type: Committee referral announced in Parliament, 1st reading/single reading body: EP
  • date: 2016-07-14T00:00:00 type: Vote in committee, 1st reading/single reading body: EP
  • date: 2016-07-19T00:00:00 type: Committee report tabled for plenary, 1st reading/single reading body: EP docs: url: http://www.europarl.europa.eu/sides/getDoc.do?type=REPORT&mode=XML&reference=A8-2016-0242&language=EN title: A8-0242/2016 summary: The Committee on International Trade adopted the report by Alexander Graf LAMBSDORFF (ADLE, DE) on the draft Council decision on the conclusion, on behalf of the European Union, of the Economic Partnership Agreement between the European Union and its Member States, of the one part, and the SADC EPA States, of the other part. The committee recommended the European Parliament to give its consent to the conclusion of the Agreement. The committee recalled that the Economic Partnership Agreements (EPAs), which are trade and development partnerships between the African, Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) States and the European Union, are aimed at supporting trade, regional integration and the gradual integration of ACP countries into the world economy, along with fostering their sustainable development. While insisting on the overall favourable effects of the SADC EPA, Members stated that it is important to strengthen the monitoring provisions in the agreement. They called for the establishment of a sustainable-development dialogue and relevant participative processes for monitoring. Members stressed their regret at the absence of a Joint Parliamentary Committee and a Joint Consultative Committee to improve this type of dialogue. Overall, Members recommended giving consent to the SADC - EU Economic Partnership Agreement given that it has the potential to bring fundamental positive change and contribute to sustainable economic growth and deepened intra-regional trade and integration. However, the trade and partnership agreement can only be a small part of a larger strategy . The SADC states should conduct trade and development-friendly domestic policies and pursue structural reforms . The regulatory framework that attracts investment is another element in the equation. These countries should also consider using the potential of the EPA by going beyond trade in goods only and also address services in the future. According to Members, the EU should provide assistance in terms of capacity building and trade related assistance.
  • date: 2016-09-13T00:00:00 type: Debate in Parliament body: EP docs: url: http://www.europarl.europa.eu/sides/getDoc.do?secondRef=TOC&language=EN&reference=20160913&type=CRE title: Debate in Parliament
  • date: 2016-09-14T00:00:00 type: Results of vote in Parliament body: EP docs: url: https://oeil.secure.europarl.europa.eu/oeil/popups/sda.do?id=27529&l=en title: Results of vote in Parliament
  • date: 2016-09-14T00:00:00 type: Decision by Parliament, 1st reading/single reading body: EP docs: url: http://www.europarl.europa.eu/sides/getDoc.do?type=TA&language=EN&reference=P8-TA-2016-0342 title: T8-0342/2016 summary: The European Parliament adopted by 417 votes to 216, with 66 abstentions, a legislative resolution on the draft Council decision on the conclusion, on behalf of the European Union, of the Economic Partnership Agreement between the European Union and its Member States, of the one part, and the SADC EPA States, of the other part. Parliament gave its consent to the conclusion of the Agreement given that it has the potential to bring fundamental positive change and contribute to sustainable economic growth and deepened intra-regional trade and integration between the SADC EPA States (Botswana, Lesotho, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa and Swaziland).
other
  • body: EC dg: url: http://ec.europa.eu/info/departments/trade_en title: Trade commissioner: MALMSTRÖM Cecilia
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  • The European Parliament adopted by 417 votes to 216, with 66 abstentions, a legislative resolution on the draft Council decision on the conclusion, on behalf of the European Union, of the Economic Partnership Agreement between the European Union and its Member States, of the one part, and the SADC EPA States, of the other part.

    Parliament gave its consent to the conclusion of the Agreement given that it has the potential to bring fundamental positive change and contribute to sustainable economic growth and deepened intra-regional trade and integration between the SADC EPA States (Botswana, Lesotho, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa and Swaziland).
2016-09-17Show (2) Changes | Timetravel
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2016-09-16Show (4) Changes | Timetravel
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2016-09-07Show (1) Changes | Timetravel
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  • The Committee on International Trade adopted the report by Alexander Graf LAMBSDORFF (ADLE, DE) on the draft Council decision on the conclusion, on behalf of the European Union, of the Economic Partnership Agreement between the European Union and its Member States, of the one part, and the SADC EPA States, of the other part.
    The committee recommended the European Parliament to give its consent to the conclusion of the Agreement.

    The committee recalled that the Economic Partnership Agreements (EPAs), which are trade and development partnerships between the African, Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) States and the European Union, are aimed at supporting trade, regional integration and the gradual integration of ACP countries into the world economy, along with fostering their sustainable development.  

    While insisting on the overall favourable effects of the SADC EPA, Members stated that it is important to strengthen the monitoring provisions in the agreement. They called for the establishment of a sustainable-development dialogue and relevant participative processes for monitoring. Members stressed their regret at the absence of a Joint Parliamentary Committee and a Joint Consultative Committee to improve this type of dialogue.

    Overall, Members recommended giving consent to the SADC - EU Economic Partnership Agreement given that it has the potential to bring fundamental positive change and contribute to sustainable economic growth and deepened intra-regional trade and integration.

    However, the trade and partnership agreement can only be a small part of a larger strategy. The SADC states should conduct trade and development-friendly domestic policies and pursue structural reforms. The regulatory framework that attracts investment is another element in the equation. These countries should also consider using the potential of the EPA by going beyond trade in goods only and also address services in the future.

    According to Members, the EU should provide assistance in terms of capacity building and trade related assistance.
2016-09-01Show (1) Changes | Timetravel
activities/4/docs
  • url: http://www.europarl.europa.eu/sides/getDoc.do?type=REPORT&mode=XML&reference=A8-2016-0242&language=EN type: Committee report tabled for plenary, 1st reading/single reading title: A8-0242/2016
2016-07-23Show (1) Changes | Timetravel
activities/1/docs/0/text

  • PURPOSE: to conclude the Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) between the European Union and its Member States, of the one part, and the SADC EPA States, of the other part.

    PROPOSED ACT: Council Decision.

    ROLE OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT: Council may adopt the act only if Parliament has given its consent to the act.

    BACKGROUND: 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.

    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, South Africa and Swaziland ), of the other part, was initialled on 15 July 2014.

    It is now necessary to conclude this Agreement on behalf of the European Union.

    CONTENT: with this proposal, the Council is called upon to adopt a Decision to approve, on behalf of the European Union and its Member States, the Economic Partnership Agreement between the European Union and its Member States, of the one part, and the SADC EPA States, of the other part.

    Scope and purpose of the Agreement: the Agreement contains provisions on:

    • cooperation,
    • trade in goods,
    • trade and sustainable development,
    • customs and trade facilitation,
    • technical barriers to trade,
    • sanitary and phytosanitary measures,
    • dispute settlement,
    • geographical indications and rules of origin.

    It also contains important trade provisions offering asymmetric market access to the EPA States, which allows them to shield sensitive sectors from liberalisation.

    The Agreement includes institutional provisions and monitoring to ensure the correct application of the Agreement.

    For further details on the proposal, please refer to the summary of the Commission’s initial legislative proposal from 22.1.2016.
2016-07-20Show (2) Changes | Timetravel
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  • body: EP responsible: False committee_full: Environment, Public Health and Food Safety committee: ENVI
  • body: EP shadows: group: EPP name: MATO Gabriel group: S&D name: SCHUSTER Joachim group: ECR name: CAMPBELL BANNERMAN David group: GUE/NGL name: FORENZA Eleonora group: Verts/ALE name: KELLER Ska responsible: True committee: INTA date: 2016-02-15T00:00:00 committee_full: International Trade rapporteur: group: ALDE name: LAMBSDORFF Alexander Graf
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Old

PURPOSE: to conclude the Economic Partnership Agreement between the European Union and its Member States, of the one part, and the SADC EPA States, of the other part.

PROPOSED ACT: Council Decision.

ROLE OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT: Council may adopt the act only if Parliament has given its consent to the act. 

BACKGROUND: 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.

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 (BLMNS) and South Africa).

The negotiations were completed at the level of the Chief Negotiators on 15 July 2014 in Pretoria. The Agreement was initialled on 15 July 2014 in Pretoria.

It should be noted that:

  • Botswana, Namibia and Swaziland currently benefit from preferential market access to the EU under the arrangements laid down in the Market Access Regulation (MAR) ;
  • Lesotho and Mozambique currently benefit from the arrangements under the 'Everything But Arms' initiative, since they are classified among the Least Developed Countries (LDCs);
  • trade between the EU and South Africa is currently governed by the Trade, Development and Cooperation Agreement (TDCA).

The SADC EPA will provide a uniform access regime for the BLMNS countries. For South Africa, the SADC EPA will replace the relevant provisions of Titles II and III of the TDCA, dealing respectively with trade and trade related issues. 

It is now necessary to conclude this Agreement on behalf of the European Union.

CONTENT: with this proposal, the Council is called upon to adopt a Decision to approve, on behalf of the European Union and its Member States, the Economic Partnership Agreement between the European Union and its Member States, of the one part, and the SADC EPA States, of the other part.

Scope and purpose of the Agreement: the Agreement contains provisions on:

  • cooperation,
  • trade in goods,
  • trade and sustainable development,
  • customs and trade facilitation,
  • technical barriers to trade,
  • sanitary and phytosanitary measures,
  • dispute settlement,
  • geographical indications,
  • rules of origin.

The Agreement also contains rendez-vous clauses on trade in services and investment, competition policy, intellectual property rights, and public procurement.

Trade provisions: the SADC EPA is a development-oriented trade agreement. It offers asymmetric market access to the SADC EPA States, which allows them to shield sensitive sectors from liberalisation; it provides a large number of safeguards and a clause for infant industry protection; it contains provisions on the rules of origin that facilitate exports; and it eliminates the use of export subsidies in trade between the Parties.

The EPA guarantees duty-free, quota-free access to the EU market for Botswana, Lesotho, Mozambique, Namibia, and Swaziland, with the exception of arms and ammunition.

South Africa will benefit from new market access additional to the TDCA, that currently governs its trade relations with the EU. The EU will obtain meaningful new market access into the Southern African Customs Union (SACU) and will have the security of a bilateral agreement with Mozambique, one of the LDCs in the region.

The EPA is designed to be compatible with the operation of SACU, in particular by fully harmonising SACU's import trade regime. SACU presents a single external schedule of tariffs and quota arrangements applied to imports from the EU.

The SADC EPA also contains a chapter on Trade and Sustainable Development that links the trade agreement to EU objectives in the field of labour, environment, and climate change.

Institutional provisions and monitoring: the Parties undertake to continuously monitor the operation and impact of this Agreement.

The institutional provisions establish a Joint Council at Ministerial level to be responsible for the operation and implementation of the Agreement and to monitor the fulfilment of its objectives. The Joint Council shall be assisted by a Trade and Development Committee.

Furthermore, the Agreement:

  • establishes a Special Committee on Geographical Indications and Trade in Wines and Spirits with the purpose of monitoring the development of the Protocol on GIs and trade in wines and spirits;
  • establishes a Special Committee on Customs and Trade Facilitation that will monitor the implementation and operation of the chapter on Customs and Trade Facilitation and the Protocol on rules of origin;
  • contains a provision that allows each Party to request consultations regarding any matter under the Trade and Sustainable Development chapter. Dialogue and cooperation may include other relevant authorities and stakeholders.

BUDGETARY IMPLICATIONS: the proposal is without budgetary implications on Union expenditure but will have a budgetary impact on the revenue side. Thus, foregone duty is estimated to amount to EUR 33.3 million upon full implementation of the Agreement after ten years.  This estimate is based on the average volume of imports over the period 2012-2014. With the exception of a number of products imported from South Africa, imports from the SADC EPA Group already enter the European Union duty free.

New

PURPOSE: to conclude the Economic Partnership Agreement between the European Union and its Member States, of the one part, and the SADC EPA States, of the other part.

PROPOSED ACT: Council Decision.

ROLE OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT: Council may adopt the act only if Parliament has given its consent to the act. 

BACKGROUND: 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.

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 (BLMNS) and South Africa).

The negotiations were completed at the level of the Chief Negotiators on 15 July 2014 in Pretoria. The Agreement was initialled on 15 July 2014 in Pretoria.

It should be noted that:

  • Botswana, Namibia and Swaziland currently benefit from preferential market access to the EU under the arrangements laid down in the Market Access Regulation (MAR) ;
  • Lesotho and Mozambique currently benefit from the arrangements under the 'Everything But Arms' initiative, since they are classified among the Least Developed Countries (LDCs);
  • trade between the EU and South Africa is currently governed by the Trade, Development and Cooperation Agreement (TDCA).

The SADC EPA will provide a uniform access regime for the BLMNS countries. For South Africa, the SADC EPA will replace the relevant provisions of Titles II and III of the TDCA, dealing respectively with trade and trade related issues. 

It is now necessary to conclude this Agreement on behalf of the European Union.

CONTENT: with this proposal, the Council is called upon to adopt a Decision to approve, on behalf of the European Union and its Member States, the Economic Partnership Agreement between the European Union and its Member States, of the one part, and the SADC EPA States, of the other part.

Scope and purpose of the Agreement: the Agreement contains provisions on:

  • cooperation,
  • trade in goods,
  • trade and sustainable development,
  • customs and trade facilitation,
  • technical barriers to trade,
  • sanitary and phytosanitary measures,
  • dispute settlement,
  • geographical indications,
  • rules of origin.

The Agreement also contains rendez-vous clauses on trade in services and investment, competition policy, intellectual property rights, and public procurement.

Trade provisions: the SADC EPA is a development-oriented trade agreement. It offers asymmetric market access to the SADC EPA States, which allows them to shield sensitive sectors from liberalisation; it provides a large number of safeguards and a clause for infant industry protection; it contains provisions on the rules of origin that facilitate exports; and it eliminates the use of export subsidies in trade between the Parties.

The EPA guarantees duty-free, quota-free access to the EU market for Botswana, Lesotho, Mozambique, Namibia, and Swaziland, with the exception of arms and ammunition.

South Africa will benefit from new market access additional to the TDCA, that currently governs its trade relations with the EU. The EU will obtain meaningful new market access into the Southern African Customs Union (SACU) and will have the security of a bilateral agreement with Mozambique, one of the LDCs in the region.

The EPA is designed to be compatible with the operation of SACU, in particular by fully harmonising SACU's import trade regime. SACU presents a single external schedule of tariffs and quota arrangements applied to imports from the EU.

The SADC EPA also contains a chapter on Trade and Sustainable Development that links the trade agreement to EU objectives in the field of labour, environment, and climate change.

Institutional provisions and monitoring: the Parties undertake to continuously monitor the operation and impact of this Agreement.

The institutional provisions establish a Joint Council at Ministerial level to be responsible for the operation and implementation of the Agreement and to monitor the fulfilment of its objectives. The Joint Council shall be assisted by a Trade and Development Committee.

Furthermore, the Agreement:

  • establishes a Special Committee on Geographical Indications and Trade in Wines and Spirits with the purpose of monitoring the development of the Protocol on GIs and trade in wines and spirits;
  • establishes a Special Committee on Customs and Trade Facilitation that will monitor the implementation and operation of the chapter on Customs and Trade Facilitation and the Protocol on rules of origin;
  • contains a provision that allows each Party to request consultations regarding any matter under the Trade and Sustainable Development chapter. Dialogue and cooperation may include other relevant authorities and stakeholders.

BUDGETARY IMPLICATIONS: the proposal is without budgetary implications on Union expenditure but will have a budgetary impact on the revenue side. Thus, foregone duty is estimated to amount to EUR 33.3 million upon full implementation of the Agreement after ten years.  This estimate is based on the average volume of imports over the period 2012-2014. With the exception of a number of products imported from South Africa, imports from the SADC EPA Group already enter the European Union duty free.

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2016-04-29Show (2) Changes | Timetravel
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2016-04-21Show (1) Changes | Timetravel
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2016-02-26Show (2) Changes | Timetravel
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2016-02-23Show (3) Changes | Timetravel
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activities/0/docs/0/text

  • PURPOSE: to conclude the Economic Partnership Agreement between the European Union and its Member States, of the one part, and the SADC EPA States, of the other part.

    PROPOSED ACT: Council Decision.

    ROLE OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT: Council may adopt the act only if Parliament has given its consent to the act. 

    BACKGROUND: 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.

    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 (BLMNS) and South Africa).

    The negotiations were completed at the level of the Chief Negotiators on 15 July 2014 in Pretoria. The Agreement was initialled on 15 July 2014 in Pretoria.

    It should be noted that:

    • Botswana, Namibia and Swaziland currently benefit from preferential market access to the EU under the arrangements laid down in the Market Access Regulation (MAR) ;
    • Lesotho and Mozambique currently benefit from the arrangements under the 'Everything But Arms' initiative, since they are classified among the Least Developed Countries (LDCs);
    • trade between the EU and South Africa is currently governed by the Trade, Development and Cooperation Agreement (TDCA).

    The SADC EPA will provide a uniform access regime for the BLMNS countries. For South Africa, the SADC EPA will replace the relevant provisions of Titles II and III of the TDCA, dealing respectively with trade and trade related issues. 

    It is now necessary to conclude this Agreement on behalf of the European Union.

    CONTENT: with this proposal, the Council is called upon to adopt a Decision to approve, on behalf of the European Union and its Member States, the Economic Partnership Agreement between the European Union and its Member States, of the one part, and the SADC EPA States, of the other part.

    Scope and purpose of the Agreement: the Agreement contains provisions on:

    • cooperation,
    • trade in goods,
    • trade and sustainable development,
    • customs and trade facilitation,
    • technical barriers to trade,
    • sanitary and phytosanitary measures,
    • dispute settlement,
    • geographical indications,
    • rules of origin.

    The Agreement also contains rendez-vous clauses on trade in services and investment, competition policy, intellectual property rights, and public procurement.

    Trade provisions: the SADC EPA is a development-oriented trade agreement. It offers asymmetric market access to the SADC EPA States, which allows them to shield sensitive sectors from liberalisation; it provides a large number of safeguards and a clause for infant industry protection; it contains provisions on the rules of origin that facilitate exports; and it eliminates the use of export subsidies in trade between the Parties.

    The EPA guarantees duty-free, quota-free access to the EU market for Botswana, Lesotho, Mozambique, Namibia, and Swaziland, with the exception of arms and ammunition.

    South Africa will benefit from new market access additional to the TDCA, that currently governs its trade relations with the EU. The EU will obtain meaningful new market access into the Southern African Customs Union (SACU) and will have the security of a bilateral agreement with Mozambique, one of the LDCs in the region.

    The EPA is designed to be compatible with the operation of SACU, in particular by fully harmonising SACU's import trade regime. SACU presents a single external schedule of tariffs and quota arrangements applied to imports from the EU.

    The SADC EPA also contains a chapter on Trade and Sustainable Development that links the trade agreement to EU objectives in the field of labour, environment, and climate change.

    Institutional provisions and monitoring: the Parties undertake to continuously monitor the operation and impact of this Agreement.

    The institutional provisions establish a Joint Council at Ministerial level to be responsible for the operation and implementation of the Agreement and to monitor the fulfilment of its objectives. The Joint Council shall be assisted by a Trade and Development Committee.

    Furthermore, the Agreement:

    • establishes a Special Committee on Geographical Indications and Trade in Wines and Spirits with the purpose of monitoring the development of the Protocol on GIs and trade in wines and spirits;
    • establishes a Special Committee on Customs and Trade Facilitation that will monitor the implementation and operation of the chapter on Customs and Trade Facilitation and the Protocol on rules of origin;
    • contains a provision that allows each Party to request consultations regarding any matter under the Trade and Sustainable Development chapter. Dialogue and cooperation may include other relevant authorities and stakeholders.

    BUDGETARY IMPLICATIONS: the proposal is without budgetary implications on Union expenditure but will have a budgetary impact on the revenue side. Thus, foregone duty is estimated to amount to EUR 33.3 million upon full implementation of the Agreement after ten years.  This estimate is based on the average volume of imports over the period 2012-2014. With the exception of a number of products imported from South Africa, imports from the SADC EPA Group already enter the European Union duty free.
other/0
body
EC
dg
commissioner
MALMSTRÖM Cecilia
2016-02-20Show (2) Changes | Timetravel
committees/3/date
2016-02-15T00:00:00
committees/3/rapporteur
  • group: ALDE name: LAMBSDORFF Alexander Graf
2016-02-03Show (5) Changes
activities
  • date: 2016-01-22T00:00:00 docs: url: http://www.europarl.europa.eu/RegData/docs_autres_institutions/commission_europeenne/com/2016/0018/COM_COM(2016)0018(ANN)_EN.pdf celexid: CELEX:52016PC0018:EN type: Legislative proposal published title: COM(2016)0018 type: Legislative proposal published body: EC commission:
committees
  • body: EP responsible: False committee_full: Agriculture and Rural Development committee: AGRI
  • body: EP responsible: False committee_full: Development committee: DEVE
  • body: EP responsible: False committee_full: Environment, Public Health and Food Safety committee: ENVI
  • body: EP responsible: True committee_full: International Trade committee: INTA
links
other
    procedure
    geographical_area
    reference
    2016/0005(NLE)
    title
    EU/SADC EPA States Economic Partnership Agreement
    legal_basis
    stage_reached
    Preparatory phase in Parliament
    subtype
    Consent by Parliament
    type
    NLE - Non-legislative enactments
    subject
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    @parltrack@eupolicy.social
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    data ODBLv1.0
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