- The East African Community member States have endorsed Kenya’s proposal for individual accession to a trade deal with the European Union at the 21st Summit of the East African Community heads of State.
- In a communiqué issued at the conclusion of the virtual summit, the East African Community heads of State said that Kenya and Rwanda should be allowed to continue implementing the agreement
The East African Community member States have endorsed Kenya’s proposal for individual accession to a trade deal with the European Union at the 21st Summit of the East African Community heads of State on Feb 28th. In a communiqué issued at the conclusion of the virtual summit, the East African Community heads of State said that Kenya and Rwanda should be allowed to continue implementing the agreement. It noted that all partner states were in a position to sign, ratify and implement the EU-EAC economic partnership agreement.
A communiqué of the 21st Summit further recognised the need to allow the members who wish to commence engagements with the EU to bring the EU-EAC EPAs implementation under the principle of variable geometry. The term variable geometry an international principle in trade means that countries committed to a specific agreement involving trading blocs may be allowed to proceed to implement it while other members who have reservations get time to think about the deal. In an earlier EAC summit in Kampala in 2018, it was agreed in principle to try variable geometry.
The decision will unlock development funds for countries that have signed and ratified the deal. Kenya had negotiated a special arrangement under the Market Access Regulation which does not, however, include the EU’s commitments to help develop regional infrastructure for trade.
Under EPAs, the EU would open to duty-free, quota-free imports from the EAC while the latter opens up a common market for its goods. Some member states like Tanzania had refused to sign, on the grounds that it would lead to cheaper imports into its market, killing local industries.
Member States also agreed to fast-track Somalia and DR Congo’s applications to join the East African Community.
