SADC launched its negotiations with the European Union (EU) on 8 July in Windhoek, Namibia, a process that is being done within the cooperation framework of the African, Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) countries.

The launch was attended by a SADC task force of trade ministers and EU commissioners. SADC has tasked Angola, Botswana, Lesotho, Mozambique, Namibia and the United Republic of Tanzania to negotiate on behalf of the region, while South Africa will participate as an observer. Botswana is coordinating the negotiating team while the other countries are responsible for various technical areas.

The position of the ACP countries is to negotiate Economic Partnership Agreements (EPAs) with the EU that complement rather than derail existing efforts towards development. EPAs with the EU should be used "to strengthen regional cooperation, and not to dismantle our organisational blocs. Only thus can the outcome of this process have a positive impact on the development of our countries," said Mozambican President Joaquim Chissano during the ACP summit that was held in Maputo late June.

During the launch in Windhoek, SADC and EU representatives agreed that the EPA should contribute to the regional integration process, particularly in enhancing the diversification, production and supply capacities of SADC countries.

The previous ACP-EU trade agreements known as the Lomé Conventions, which preceded the current Cotonou Agreement, were criticised by developing countries for lacking a developmental objective. The Cotonou Agreement under which EPAs are being negotiated was thus designed to have more emphasis on the development agenda of ACP countries.

The ACP summit mandated its council of ministers to “ensure that EPAs are not simply agreements on free trade but should ensure real instruments of development that con tribute to foster sustainable development and poverty reduction.”

The thorny issue of agricultural subsidies, especially on sugar, dominated discussions in Maputo. Developing countries argue that financial assistance given to EU farmers distort world prices for commodities, rendering poor countries’ farmers uncompetitive.

At the launch in Windhoek, the SADC Ministers and EU Commissioners agreed that the period from July to December 2004 will be for priority setting and preparations.

Substantive negotiations on market access for agriculture and non-agriculture products and fisheries, trade in services, development cooperation, other trade related issues, will take place from January 2005 to June 2007.

The last stage will be the finalisation of the agreement, which should be signed by December 2007 and expected to enter into force in January 2008.