Sezibera optimistic over EPA negotiations

The East African Community (EAC), Secretary General Dr. Richard Sezibera has said that the region is committed to succeed in the negotiations of the Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA).He made the remarks on Friday while receiving letters of credence from Amb. Johnny Flento, the representative of Denmark to the EAC.“We want EPAs to lead to development of our region and strengthen regional integration,” Sezibera said.Currently the talks between EAC and European Union (EU) to conclude EPA negotiations are on going. The agreements are meant to bring lesser stringent trade terms between the two economic blocs.The trade pacts contain market access offers made by both the EAC and European Council (EC) to each other.During the event, Sezibera concurred with Danish Envoy to the EAC on the importance of an EPA deal that promotes development.Flento said; “Denmark was very much in favour of regional integration and announced that the country would use its position as the current chair of the EU to push for development of friendly EPAs.” The Danish envoy also voiced his country’s desire to increase trade cooperation with the EAC.At the same ceremony, the EAC Secretary General and the Danish Ambassador signed a Financing Agreement that will see Denmark provide EAC with a grant of 18 million Danish Kroner (approximately $3.2 million) over a three-year period beginning 2011/12 to 2014/15.The EAC and EU have failed to agree on EPA negotiations since 2007 when the talks kicked off due to the fact they failed to agree on how issues on development cooperation should be addressed to their mutual satisfaction.