{{Retired President Benjamin Mkapa has urged former heads of state of European countries to press their governments to ensure that the Economic Partnership Agreements (EPAs) they are negotiating with Africans do not threaten the development aspirations of their continent.}}
Participating in the debate on the economic situation in the present state of the world in Manama, the Kingdom of Bahrain, Mr Mkapa said the European Union (EU) proposals seriously impede the development path of the African countries.
In particular, they would lead to de-industrialisation, stop the value addition on their primary goods exports and deny them market success, while by insisting on removal of import tariffs and export taxes, deny government revenue for effective fair governance.
He pointed out that the EU-EPA proposals placed production risks for locally produced products at 51.3 per cent in East African Community member countries, 54.1 per cent in Ecowas countries and 80.5 per cent in SADC countries.
Weighing gains against cost of signing the EPAs for Sub-Saharan African countries, he said under the most favoured nation clause (MFN), the countries would gain annually $ 946 million on average against costs of $ 3,385 million.
In every instance he affirmed, the cost of EPA is higher than the benefit. He told the Council that African countries had been given the deadline of January 2014 to sign.
The underlining principle of this deadline and the proposals is the principle of equal responsibilities, and the imperative of reciprocity.
Additionally, the EU has now come up with new issues for reciprocal action, including services, investment, intellectual property, labour and environment.
In the final communiqué, the Council asks the international community “to recognise the centrality of the African Union on issues of African development and to encourage regional economic integration.
Trade with investment is the most important factor to states seeking to reduce poverty and improve living standard of their people.”
“The IAC [InterAction Council] calls on entities negotiating new economic partnerships, such as the EU and other development partners, to ensure market access for African exports consistent with the realisation of the Millennium Development Goals and promotion of an agreed post 2015 agenda.”
IAC is an independent international organization comprising more than 30 former heads of state or government.
It aims to foster international co-operation and action in areas of peace and security, revitalisation of the world economy and the nexus of development, population and environment and universal ethics.
The Council is co- chaired by former Canadian Premier Jean Chretien and Dr Franz Vranitzky, former Chancellor of Austria.
NMG
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