EU, SADC inch closer to final EPA

Senior officials of the two parties recently met in South Africa, marking the first meeting between the groups since the EU accepted the region's request that it places its solidarity ahead of any final agreement.

Four of the seven SADC-EPA states, including Botswana, signed an interim EPA last June, but this year agreed to walk in step with the remaining states in the resolution of outstanding issues. On Wednesday, EU Head of Section on Politics, Trade, Press and Information, Lena Sund, told BusinessWeek that two more joint meetings and a workshop would be held in the region and in Brussels before year end as the two parties attempt to meet the December 2010 deadlines.