Interim EPAs mere stepping stone - EU official

Speaking at the three-day and 10th regional seminar of the ACP-EU economic and social interest groups, president of the follow-up committee of the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) Luca Jahier said that the EU was aware of the conflict that has arisen within the different regional groupings. But it must be remembered that the interim EPAs are only a stepping stone towards comprehensive EPAs, he said.

" The negotiations on the interim EPAs have been the focus of much criticism for not supporting existing regional initiatives and I agree with these pre-occupations.