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CSD on the EU-Eastern and Southern Africa (ESA) Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) negotiations

The purpose of this meeting is to present to EU civil society organisations the state of play of the negotiations with ESA-5, to present the draft Inception Report of the Sustainability Impact Assessment, and to exchange views.

  • Date: 11/09/2020, 10:00-12:00
  • Location: WEBEX

Meeting details

The EU and five countries of Eastern and Southern Africa (ESA-5) – Comoros, Madagascar, Mauritius, the Seychelles and Zimbabwe – are currently negotiating the deepening of the existing EU-ESA Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA).

The negotiations aim at a comprehensive trade agreement, covering trade in goods, services, investment and other trade-related topics, as well as an ambitious chapter on trade and sustainable development. The negotiations were launched on 2nd October 2019, and, so far, two negotiation rounds have been held (in January and July 2020).

Further information on the EU’s negotiations with the ESA-5 states

In line with the standard practice, DG Trade has commissioned an independent contractor, LSE Consulting, to undertake a Sustainability Impact Assessment (SIA), which will feed into the negotiations. The purpose of the SIA is to provide for a deep assessment of the potential economic, social, human rights and environmental effects of the anticipated new and comprehensive EPA.

Draft inception report of the SIA

The purpose of this meeting is to present to EU civil society organisations the state of play of the negotiations with ESA-5, to present the draft Inception Report of the Sustainability Impact Assessment, and to exchange views on these topics.

Speakers

Lead speakers

  • Ewa Synowiec, Director, Directorate-General for Trade (DG Trade), Chief Negotiator for the negotiations to deepen the EU-ESA EPA
  • Study Coordinator/Team Leader of the consortium led by LSE Consulting

Moderator

  • Civil Society Coordination, DG Trade, European Commission

Agenda

  1. Presentation of the state of play of the negotiations
  2. Presentation of the draft Inception Report for the SIA in support of the EU-ESA-5 negotiations
  3. Open discussion with stakeholders

The meeting will take place via WEBEX. Access code and password will be sent to registered participants. We would be grateful if participants could launch their WEBEX connection at least 30 minutes in advance of the meeting so that any technical problems can be arranged in time before the meeting.

Related documents

  • trade agreement | international trade | trade policy
  • Friday 11 September 2020, 10:00 - 12:00 (CEST)
  • Live streaming available
Country or region
Eastern and Southern Africa (ESA)
Trade topics
Economic Partnerships
Event type
EU Trade Dialogue with Civil Society

Practical information

When
Friday 11 September 2020, 10:00 - 12:00 (CEST)
Languages
English
Organisers
Directorate-General for Trade

Description