Public Agenda (Accra)
Hannah Asomaning
29 June 2009
Saly — Mr Amadou Niang, Senegalese Minister of Commerce, has called for a social approach into the negotiations of the Economic Partnership Agreements (EPA) between the European Union and the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).
He said the discussion should involve the civil society since the decisions taken in the agreement would have political, social and economic impact on people.
He therefore commended civil society organization for actively following the negotiations, saying their intervention is necessary.
Mr Niang was speaking at a workshop organized by the Friedrich Ebert Foundation (FES) for economic journalists in the sub-region on the theme: "Negotiations between EU and ECOWAS; where does the West African Press Stand."
The workshop brought together journalists from Ghana, Senegal, Mali, Nigeria, Benin and Cote d'Ivoire.
Mr Niang said West Africa's overall development is based on economic development within the region and suggested that regional integration should be facilitated to help deal with the development challenges the region faced.
Mr Friedrich Kramme-Stermose, Senegal's Resident Representative of FES, said his organization was aware of the political implications of the EPA, asking what could happen after signing EPA.
The Economic Partnership Agreement is a proposed trade agreement by the European Union to Africa, Caribbean and the Pacific (ACP) countries seeking reciprocal trade arrangement with non-tariff barriers to encourage liberalization of the various markets.
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