International campaigning helped to prevent some of the worst aspects of the EU’s proposals being included in the deals for now. In addition, the massive interest generated in the media, parliaments and among the public has shone a much needed spotlight on the process, preventing these deals being ushered through quickly and quietly.
Since the 36 EPAs were initialled at the end of 2007, many countries have voiced serious concerns and have called for the deals to be reviewed. The ACP Ministers issued a statement in December 2007 that "deplore[d] the enormous pressure that has been brought to bear on the ACP states by the European Commission."[1] Several governments, such as Namibia, Nigeria, Senegal[2] and South Africa[3] went on record to say that they oppose the deals, or that they signed EPAs under duress.
However, the European Commission continues to exert pressure for countries to sign the deals they have initialled, and to adopt further damaging commitments under full EPAs.Meanwhile, the European governments – including the UK – have failed to demonstrate the political commitment to defend the ACP from such pressure, instead often joining the Commission in cajoling countries to sign.
[1] ACP ministerial declaration, Brussels, 13 December 2007.
[2] Guardian, 10 December 07
[3] http://allafrica.com/stories/200712210324.html [25/1/08]
