DECISION ON ECONOMIC PARTNERSHIP
AGREEMENTS NEGOTIATIONS
DOC. EX.CL/283(IX)
The Executive Council:
TAKES NOTE of the Report;
REQUESTS the concerned Member States and Regional Economic Communities (RECs) Negotiating Groups to participate actively in the comprehensive review of Economic Partnership Agreements (EPA) negotiations as provided for under Article 37.4 of the Cotonou Partnership Agreement;
CALLS ON the African Regions/Groups that are negotiating EPAs with the European Union (EU) to facilitate the coordination role of the Commission as mandated by the Heads of State and Government by inviting it to their negotiation sessions with the EU and by submitting to the Commission regular progress reports on their EPA negotiations;
REQUESTS the Commission to coordinate the RECs/Negotiating Groups in the evaluation of the comprehensive review process;
ALSO REQUESTS the Commission in collaboration with the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (ECA) to continue its technical support to Member States to enable them to formulate informed positions;
FURTHER REQUESTS the Commission to coordinate the results of the review of EPA negotiations by African Regions/Groups and to submit a report to the AU Trade Ministers for consideration and policy guidance.