Editor,

I DON’T know about the details in the Economic Partnership Agreements, but how will it impact positively on East Africans? How will EPAs help reduce poverty and bring about prosperity?

When the Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych did not sign the association agreement with the European Union (EU), he said Ukraine need to be economically stronger to be able to negotiate a good deal. The EU is now very upset about it is blaming this stance on Russia.

You can criticise Janukovych, but if the EU is telling others what to do again and again, instead of negotiating, compromising, asking and offering to finally reach an agreement both sides are okay with, why do you waste time on reading the rest of any agreement?

Tell them to come back once they understand what an agreement means.

Sylvia,Germany

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IN NEGOTIATING EPAs, governments should ensure there is proper citizen participation, access to information (no secrecy) and ample representation of views from across the board.

For instance, while the EAC moved to Brussels to negotiate EPAs, there was no wide consultation with the civil society organisations. EPAs will definitely affect our people, especially the poor.

Emmanuel, NairobiKenya

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