Europe is negotiating Economic Partnership Agreements (EPAs) with 76 countries across Africa, the Caribbean and Pacific.
These trade deals could have devastating effects on some of the world's poorest countries.
See the latest - who has signed?
The map below shows which countries are involved in EPAs and how negotiations are progressing. Click on the circles on the map to see more detail.
| Signed a Full EPA |
| Signed an Interim EPA |
| Initialled an Interim EPA |
| No agreement initialled or signed |
Map last updated: 15th December 2009
What is the difference between "initialling" and "signing" an EPA?
"Initialling" an EPA signals a political commitment to the agreement. Only when agreements are "signed" do they move towards being legally binding (but still have to be ratified).
What is the difference between "Interim" and "Full" EPAs?
"Interim EPAs" cover the liberalisation of goods (agricultural or manufactured products). "Full EPAs" include goods, services, and investment (anything from banking, water services and construction).
Europe has always ACP countries to open up their markets not only to European goods but also to its service providers and investors. Europe insists that no EPA can be a "Full EPA", unless it contains commitments to further liberalise in these areas - but many ACP countries disagree with this approach, because of the genuine risks to their economies.
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