The Parties establish an Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA). The aim is to contribute to economic growth and development through the establishment of a strengthened and strategic trade and development partnership consistent with the objective of sustainable development. The agreement also aims to strengthen the existing relations between the Parties on the basis of solidarity and mutual interest. To this end, consistent with their World Trade Organisation rights and obligations, the Parties shall enhance commercial and economic relations, support a new trading dynamic by means of the progressive, asymmetrical liberalisation of trade between them and reinforce, broaden and deepen cooperation in all areas relevant to trade and investment. This Agreement is composed of the following Parts: (a) General Provisions; (b) Trade in Goods; (c) Fisheries; (d) Agriculture; (e) Economic and Development Cooperation; (f) Institutional Provisions; (g) Dispute Avoidance and Settlement (h) General Exceptions; (i) General and Final Provisions; (j) Annexes and Protocols to the above Sanitary and phitosanitary measures are laid down, within the framework of the World Trade Organisation related provisions (Title IV). Article 51 and subsequent provisions apply to fisheries: cooperation covers inland fisheries, marine fisheries and aquaculture. Some of the fisheries-related provisions in the EPA include: a) tariff elimination and quota increase (the EPA provides for the elimination of tariffs on fish and fishery products imported from the EAC to the EU); b) sustainable fisheries management to ensure the sustainability of fish stocks; the EPA also encourages the use of science-based approaches in fisheries management; c) technical assistance and capacity building (this includes the promotion of sustainable fisheries practices, support for the development of fishing infrastructure, and training for local fishermen); d) cooperation on illegal fishing (the EPA calls for cooperation between the EAC and the EU in the fight against illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing. It provides for measures to prevent IUU fishing in both regions, including the exchange of information and the use of technology to track and monitor fishing activities). Article 57 and subsequent provisions apply to crops and livestock, including productive insects.
2014-01-01