WT/REG274/ 2 
 
21 September 2020 
(20-6375) Page: 1/5 
Committee on Regional Trade Agreements  Original: English  
 
ECONOMIC PARTNERSHIP AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE EUROPEAN UNION  AND 
CAMEROON (GOODS ) 
QUESTIONS AND REPLIES  
 The following communication, dated 15 September  2020, is being circulated at the request of 
the delegations of  the European Union and Cameroon.  
 
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Question s from the delegation of Brazil  
 
Characteristic elements of the Agreement  
 
Background information  
 
1.1.  Regarding item 2.1, when are the other Central African countries expected to join 
the Agreement? Are negotiations still being carried on with that aim?  
 The Agreement is open to other Central African countries even though negotiations with these 
countries have been interrupted since 2010. However, during the 16th session (and last session) of 
the Ministerial Committee of EPA Negotiations (COMINA) held in Douala (Cameroon) on 3 March 
2017, the Ministers of Central African countries agreed on joining this Agr eement subject to 
substantial amendments, notably as concerns support measures.  
 
Liberalization of trade and tariff lines  
1.2.  Regarding item 3.1.2, paragraph 3.10: when do the parties plan on concluding the 
negotiation of the rules of origin of the agreement? Are they expected to significantly alter 
the rules of origin currently adopted between the parties? What are the products whose 
trade is expected to be most affected by the new rules of origin?  
 There is no clear timeframe to conclude negotiations. The dif ficulty to reach an agreement on 
certain principles coupled with the Covid -19 crisis have delayed the negotiations.  
 
It is worth indicating that the rules of origin currently in place have not been negotiated / 
adopted between the Parties. The existing rul es have been decided unilaterally by each Party and 
they apply exclusively to their imports.  
 
The Protocol on rules of origin under negotiation builds on the most recent protocols on rules 
of origin of modern EPAs (SADC, West Africa, EAC, etc.). The propos ed protocol modernizes outdated 
provisions and procedures allowing for more flexible general rules of origin, such as: introducing the 
principle of non -alteration, allowing for accounting segregation, allowing for the use of self -
certification as proof of origin and aligning cumulation provisions to WTO principles (i.e. cumulation 
is allowed with countries that do benefit from duty -free quota -free access to the EU market).  
 
 There is no modification currently planned in the determination of the origin of p roducts either 
wholly obtained or sufficiently worked products on the proposed protocol.  Accordingly, trade in goods 
will not be further affected because of the implementation of the rules of origin under negotiation.  
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  Liberalization schedule  
 
European Union  
 
1.3.  With regard to paragraph 3.11, footnote 19, please confirm if the EU has granted 
Cameroon the elimination of all non -ad valorem  MFN duties applied to 987 of the bloc's 
tariff lines before the Agreement.  
 Yes, all duties have been removed.  
 
Sanitary and phytosanitary measures and technical barriers to trade  
 
1.4.  Regarding item 3.4.1, what specific sectors do the Central African States plan to 
harmonize at the regional level (para graph  3.47)?  
 To date, discussions on this issue have been suspended and the sectors will only be 
determined in case other Central African States join the Agreement.  
 
Global safeguards  
 
1.5.  Regarding item 3.4.2.1, para graph  3.49, the report does not make it clear what 
exactly the term "global safeguards" means. Appare ntly, the term would include 
measures both under the Safeguards Agreement (AS) and under Article 5 of the AoA (the 
SSGs). In this sense, does the EU's exclusion of imports from Cameroon from global 
safeguards also applies for the bloc's SSGs?  
 Yes, accordi ng to Article 30 of the agreement, EU 's exclusion of imports from Cameroon from 
global safeguards also applies for the SSGs.  
 
1.6.  Also regarding item 3.4.2.1, para graph  3.49, will an eventual exclusion of Cameroon 
from EU's safeguards under the AS be preceded by the exclusion of Cameroon from the 
injury analysis?  
 The provision of article 30.2 applied for a period of five years after the Agreement entered 
into force (201 4). This period is over and no extension is yet foreseen.  
 
Bilateral safeguards  
 
1.7.  Regarding item 3.4.2.2, what objective criteria and analysis methods will be used to 
demonstrate the existence or threat of "disruption in a sector of the economy that could 
result in major social problems thus jeopardizing the economic situation of the importing 
country"; "disruption in the market of a like or directly competitive agricultural good or 
in the mechanisms regulating those markets" (para 3.51); "disruption to an i nfant 
industry producing like or directly competitive products" (para 3.58); and "food supply 
problems resulting (or likely resulting) in major difficulties" (para 3.59)? Are there more 
detailed definitions for such terms?  
 Before taking any measure,  the P arty concerned shall supply the EPA Committee with all 
information required for a thorough examination of the situation, with a view to seeking a solution 
acceptable to the Parties concerned. The EPA Committee may make recommendations to remedy 
the circums tances that have arisen. If the EPA Committee has not made recommendations to remedy 
the circumstances, or if a satisfactory solution has not been reached within 30 days of the matter 
being referred, the importing Party may adopt the appropriate measures t o remedy the situation.  
 
1.8.  As regards paragraphs 3.6 and 3.13, will Cameroon be allowed to raise customs 
duties applied to goods from the EU under the 1,404 lines for which Cameroon has granted 
no preferences to the EU?  
 No, in respect with the dispositions of article 21.2 where it is stated that "No new customs 
duties shall be introduced in trade between the Parties, nor shall those specified in Annex III be 
increased. "  
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  1.9.  Is it possible that, in the future, consumer defense themes will be incorporated into 
the FTA?   
 In theory yes, but none of the Parties has expressed interest yet.  
 
Question s from the delegation of C anada  
 
1.10.   How will the provisions of this Agreement relate to provisions currently under 
negotiation in the African Continental Free Trade Area ( AfCFTA)?  
 There is no link between the two agreements. EU -Cameroon EPA will establish a free trade 
area between Cameroon and the EU, while the AfCFTA will establish a free trade area between 
African countries. The rules of origin in each Agreement will help to deter mine objectively products 
originating from Parties to each Agreement, the sole beneficiaries of the tariff preferences granted. 
No benefit ensuing from the implementation of either agreement shall be extended to the other.  
 
 However, the Agreement on the A fCFTA stipulates under Article 18.2 on Continental 
Preferences that: "A State Party shall afford opportunity to other State Parties to negotiate 
preferences granted to Third Parties prior to entry into force of this Agreement and such preferences 
shall be on a reciprocal basis. In the case where a State Party is interested in the preferences in this  
paragraph, the State Party shall afford opportunity to other State Parties to negotiate on a reciprocal 
basis, taking into account levels of development of Stat e Parties ".  
Investment  
 
1.11.   The preamble of the Agreement states: "CONVINCED that the Economic Partnership 
Agreement (EPA) will create a new and more favourable climate for their relations in the 
areas of economic governance, trade and investments  and create new opportunities for 
growth and development;  
 Is there an intention to eventually expand the scope of the agreement to include 
investment protections or negotiate a separate investment agreement?  
 Although promoting and attracting investments is one of th e main direct and indirect effects 
of any trade agreement, there is no specific investment protection provision or chapter in the 
EU-Cameroon EPA. That being said, the negotiation of an investment agreement between Cameroon 
and the EU might be envisaged in the future.  
Question from the delegation of China  
 
1.12.   Could the Parties provide more information on how the EU -Cameroon EPA interacts 
or coordinates with the African Continental Free Trade Area ("AfCFTA") after the latter 
enters into force? Will the implementation of the AfCFTA affect  or modify the provisions 
of EU -Cameroon EPA?  
The EU -Cameroon EPA and the Agreement on the African Contin ental Free Trade Area 
(AfCFTA) are both free trade agreements which Cameroon has ratified.  
The benefits enjoyed under these agreements notably tariff preferences are subject to 
compliance with the rules of origin spelled out in each of these agreements.  
The provisions of EU -Cameroon EPA will not be affected or modified as a result of the 
implementation of the AfCFTA as provided for by Article 18.3 of the Agreement on AfCFTA which 
stipulates that "This Agreement shall not nullify, modify or revoke rights a nd obligations under pre -
existing trade agreements that State Parties have with Third Parties. " 
 Consequently, the implementation of either agreement will not affect the other. However, 
there are differences in the rules of origin of the two agreements whi ch will require more efforts 
from the Cameroonian authorities charged with their implementation.  
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  Questions from the delegation of Mexico  
 
Competition  
 
1.13.   Paragraph 5.21: Are there any cooperation activities between the Parties regarding 
investigations into anti -competitive practices and other areas of competition policy, such 
as merger control or promotion, that could guide the negotiations concerning the chapter 
on competition?  
 There is currently no cooperation between the Parties in th e area of the investigation of anti -
competitive practices or other areas of competition policy. Cooperation in these areas might  occur  
in the future, particularly after a competition chapter will be included in the EPA, as envisaged in 
article 57 of the EP A. 
 
1.14.   In the context of the Capacity Building Framework in Central Africa, what is the 
scope of the technical assistance needed for the institutional development of competition 
and regulatory authorities to promote the modernization of telecommunication netw orks?  
 No technical assistance is currently provided, within the framework of the EPA or its 
accompanying measures, for the purpose of modernising telecommunications networks in Central 
Africa.  
 
1.15.   Paragraph 5.22: Is it known when negotiations for the chapter  on competition will  
begin? How is it considered that the transition would be from rules at the regional level 
in Central Africa to their application at the bilateral level?  
 The Parties have not yet agreed a date for the beginning of negotiations of a com petition 
chapter in the EPA.  
 
Question s from the delegation of the United States  
 
Trade e nvironment  
 
1.16.   Paragraph 1.1 of the factual presentation describes the agreement as between the 
European Union and its Member States and Cameroon. Can you provide information as to 
whether/how Cameroon intends to negotiate an FTA with the United Kingdom, given its 
departure from the EU earlier this year? Will Cameroon seek to rebalance concessions in 
the EU -Cameroon EPA given that the UK represented a significant ma rket within the EU at 
the time it was negotiated?  
 Since February 2018 when the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland invited 
Cameroon to enter into negotiations for the conclusion of a bilateral EPA ahead of its exit from the 
EU, both Parti es have engaged "informal " negotiations in this regard. Each Party has set up technical 
teams dedicated to this purpose. The two Parties have met two times during the second half of 2019 
and resolved to negotiate a continuity agreement. Against this backgr ound, Cameroon intends to 
grant the British side most of the concessions provided for under the EPA with the EU. It should be 
noted that negotiations are still under way.  
 
1.17.   According to Paragraph 1.2 of the factual presentation, this was intended to be an 
agreement between the EU and the Central Africa region. Are the parties to the EPA still 
actively seeking to expand the agreement to other Central African countries?  
 The Agreement is open to other Central African countries even though negotiations with the se 
countries have been interrupted since 2010. However, during the 16th session (and last session) of 
the Ministerial Committee of EPA Negotiations (COMINA) held in Douala (Cameroon) on 3 March 
2017, the Ministers of Central African countries agreed on joi ning this Agreement subject to 
substantial amendments, notably as concerns support measures.  
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  Characteristic elements of the Agreement  
 
Background information  
 
1.18.   A footnote to Box 2.1 indicates that Cameroon is a member of Central African 
Economic and Monetary Community (CEMAC). How does Cameroon reconcile its tariff 
reduction commitments under the EPA with its CEMAC common external tariff 
commitments?  
 Cameroon is aware of the necessity to reconcile its commitments taken within CEMAC with 
those under t he EPA. Its priority is to conclude a regional EPA with all CEMAC countries so as to 
ensure overall consistency in the common external trade policy.  
 
Liberalization schedule  
 
The European Union  
 
1.19.   Paragraph 3.11 of the factual presentation indicates that under the EPA the EU 
bound 18 tariff lines that were not MFN duty free but which had an applied tariff of zero 
under the EU 's Everything But Arms program. Was that the sole benefit on trade in goods 
that Cameroon derived from joining the EPA?  
 All imports from Cameroon enters the EU duty -free and quota -free since the entry into 
application of the Agreement and without time limit.  These include bananas, aluminium, processed 
cocoa products, plywood and other fresh and transformed agricultural products. This i s an 
improvement compared to the previous trade regime of the ACP -EU Cotonou Partnership Agreement.  
 
Diagonal cumulation  
 
1.20.   Paragraphs 3.28 and 3.30 of the factual presentation describe special cumulation 
of origin rules benefiting inputs from South Africa.  Why is South Africa the only African 
country mentioned specifically for such treatment?  
 Cumulation with other African countries is embedded in the general provisions of the Market 
Access Regulation when a reference is given to ACP countries, which inclu de all other African 
countries that were previously covered by the Cotonou Agreement which benefit from same market 
access conditions.  At the time of drafting the Market Access Regulation South Africa enjoyed of a 
bilateral Trade and Development Cooperatio n Agreement, with specific market access conditions, 
which are different from the rest of African – ACP countries. This, therefore, needs to be recognized 
in the Market Access Regulation separately from the rest of African – ACP countries.  
 
Provisions on t rade in services  
 
1.21.   According to Paragraph 4.1 of the factual presentation, negotiations provided for 
under the EPA on services market access have not started yet.  Do the Parties still intend 
to pursue such a negotiation?  
 Yes they do, but a date for the ope ning of these negotiations has not been set yet.  
 
Relationship between other agreements concluded by the Parties  
 
1.22.   Table 5.1 notes that Cameroon ratified its accession to the AfCFTA in October 2019. 
That agreement has the following requirement: "A State Par ty shall afford to other State 
Parties to negotiate preferences granted to Third Parties prior to entry into force of this 
agreement and such preferences shall be on a reciprocal basis."   
 How has that requirement been taken into account by Cameroon?  
 Cameroon was ready to apply this instrument in case other State Parties to the AfCFTA so 
requested. However, it should be pointed out that before the entry into force of the AfCFTA on 
30 May 2019, no country tabled a request in this regard.  
 
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