Contents

List of Acronyms. 4

Introduction. 6

1........... Procedural issues and consultation of interested parties. 8

1.1........ Organisation and timing. 8

1.2........ Impact Assessment Board (IAB) 8

1.3........ Consultation and expertise: review of consultations, studies and evaluation reports. 9

1.4........ Statistical Data. 14

2........... Problem Definition. 15

2.1........ The problem requiring action and the scope of the decision. 15

2.1.1..... The problem.. 15

2.1.2..... Main challenges. 15

2.2........ The underlying drivers of the problem.. 17

2.3........ The EU's right to act and the EU added value. 18

3........... Objectives of the future legislative framework. 19

3.1........ General objectives. 19

3.2........ Specific objectives. 19

3.3........ Consistency with external action priorities and other EU policies. 21

4........... Policy options. 22

4.1........ Discarded options. 22

4.2........ Policy option 1: Status Quo Renewal of the current Overseas Association Decision without any changes. 22

4.3........ Policy option 2: Modernisation of the Overseas Association Decision and alignment with EU policy framework 23

4.4........ Option 3: Several partnership agreements concluded. 25

5........... Impact assessment of policy options. 27

5.1........ Assessment policy option 1. 27

5.2........ Assessment policy option 2. 28

5.3........ Assessment policy option 3. 30

6........... Comparing and weighing the policy options. 32

6.1........ Comparing the policy options. 32

6.2........ Weighing the policy options. 35

6.3........ Preferred option. 37

7........... Monitoring and evaluation. 37

Annex 1 – List of references. 39

Annex 2 – Glossary. 42

Annex 3 – Services that participated in the Impact Assessment 44

Annex 4 – Structure of the Overseas Association Decision. 46

Annex 5 – Public consultation Green Paper 47

Annex 6 – EU financed cooperation with OCTs. 49

Annex 7 – OCT Remoteness – Liner Shipping Connectivity. 51

Annex 8 – EU 27 Goods Imports from all OCTs in 2010 (values in 1,000 EUR) 52

Annex 9 – Treatment of OCT Goods Imported into the EU under CET rates. 53

Annex 10 – Overview per OCT. 54

Annexe 11 – Thematic report on environmental and climate change issues. 61

Annex 12 - Thematic report on Trade and Trade Related Aspects of the Overseas Association Decision 90

List of Acronyms

ACP African, Caribbean and Pacific States

ACS Association of Caribbean States

ASEAN Association of South East Asian Nations

AVE Ad Valorem Equivalent

CARICOM Caribbean Community and Common Market

CARIFORUM Caribbean Forum of ACP States.

CFP Common Fisheries Policy

CET Common External Tariff

COMESA Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa

COMTRADE Commodity Trade Statistics

CSME CARICOM Single Market and Economy

DDA Doha Development Agenda

DFQF Duty Free and Quota Free

EAC East African Community

EBA Everything But Arms

EDF European Development Fund

EEN Europe Enterprise Network

EIB European Investment Bank

EPA Economic Partnership Agreement

ERDF European Regional Development Fund

ESA Eastern Southern Africa

EU European Union

EUR Euro

FTA Free Trade Agreement

GATS General Agreement on Trade in Services

GATT General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade

GDP Gross Domestic Product

GSP General System of Preferences

HS Harmonised System Nomenclature

ILO International Labour Organisation

ISG Inter Service Group

IUU Illegal, Unregulated, Unreported fishing

LDC Least Developed Country

MacMap Market Access Map

MDG Millennium Development Goals

MERCOSUR Mercado Común del Sur

MFF Multi-Annual Financial Framework

MFN Most Favoured Nation

NAMA Non-Agricultural Market Access

NTB Non-Tariff Barrier

OAD Overseas Association Decision

OCTA Association of the Overseas Countries and Territories

OCTs Overseas Countries and Territories

OECS Organisation of East Caribbean States

PACER Pacific Agreement on Closer Economic Relations

PICTA Pacific Island Countries Trade Agreement

SACU Southern African Customs Union

SADC Southern African Development Community

SPD Single Programming Document

SPS Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures

STABEX System for the Stabilisation of ACP and OCT Export Earnings

TBT Technical Barriers to Trade

TFEU Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union

TRIPs Trade-related aspects of Intellectual Property Rights

UNCTAD United Nations Conference on Trade and Development

UNECLAC United Nations Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean

US United States

USD United States Dollar

WITS World Integrated Trade Solutions

WTO World Trade Organisation

Introduction

Policy context of the renewal of the Overseas Association Decision

Part Four of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union (TFEU) associates the Overseas Countries and Territories (OCTs) with the European Union (EU). Article 198 of the TFEU stipulates that the purpose of the EU-OCT association is to promote the OCTs' economic and social development and to create close economic relations between them and the EU as a whole. It is also underlined that the association shall serve primarily to further the interests and prosperity of the inhabitants of the OCTs, in order to lead them to the economic, social and cultural development to which they aspire.

Since 1958, the detailed rules and the procedure for this association have been laid down by the Council of the EU through successive Overseas Association Decisions (OADs)[1]. The present OAD will expire on 31 December 2013. The revision process of this Decision, conducted within the limits of the TFEU, is underway and should lead to a legislative proposal for a new OAD, expected to enter into force on 1 January 2014. This legislative proposal will be based on a holistic review in the context of this impact assessment and which has involved the European Commission, the OCTs, their Member States and other stakeholders. In line with Council Conclusions 17801/2009 of 22 December 2009 on the EU's relations with the OCTs, the legislative proposal should aim at renewing the association, as well as focusing its areas of cooperation around priorities recognised by all parties as being of mutual interests.

According to Article 203 of the TFEU, the legislative proposal will lay down the provisions as regards the detailed rules and the procedure for the association of all OCTs with the EU, irrespectively of their level of wealth or other specific characteristics of individual OCTs. It will set the legal framework and define the General Framework of the EU-OCT Association, the possible areas of cooperation between the EU and the OCTs, the trade regime that will govern the exchanges and the cooperation in that field between OCTs and the EU as well as the different financial instruments to which OCTs will be eligible to (11th EDF and the horizontal programmes).This homogeneous framework will be further detailed, as far as EU financial assistance is concerned, at the programming stage with each beneficiary OCT in order to identify the areas of cooperation where EU's aid would be the most effective in view of meeting the objectives of the association. In that respect, special consideration will be given to the specific economic, social and environmental situation and needs faced by the concerned OCT.

The legislative proposal for a Council Decision forms part of the European Commission's work programme for 2012.

Brief presentation of the OCTs[2]

OCTs are islands located in the Atlantic, Antarctic, Arctic, Caribbean, Indian Ocean and Pacific regions. They are not sovereign countries but depend on four Member States of the EU: Denmark, France, the Netherlands and the United Kingdom. The association of the OCTs with the EU flows from the constitutional relations that these countries and territories have with the four Member States.

Table 1: The OCTs associated with the EU

UK || NL || FR || DK

Caribbean

Anguilla || Aruba || Saint-Barthélemy ||

British Virgin Islands || Bonaire || ||

Cayman Islands || Curaçao || ||

Montserrat || Saba || ||

Turks and Caicos Islands || Sint-Eustatius || ||

(Bermuda) i || Sint-Maarten || ||

Pacific

Pitcairn || || French Polynesia ||

|| || New Caledonia ||

|| || Wallis and Futuna ||

Indian Ocean

British Indian Ocean Territory || || Mayotte ||

Northern Atlantic

|| || Saint-Pierre et Miquelon || Greenland

Southern Atlantic and Antarctic

Saint Helena, Ascension Island, Tristan da Cunha || || French Southern and Antarctic Territories ||

Falkland Islands || || ||

South-Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands || || ||

British Antarctic Territory || || ||

i Though Bermuda is mentioned in both the TFEU and the OAD, it has asked that the association arrangements would not apply.

In general, OCTs have wide ranging autonomy, covering areas such as economic affairs, employment market, public health, home affairs and customs. Defence and foreign affairs usually remain within the remit of the Member States. The OCTs are not part of the EU's customs territory and are outside the Internal Market. The EU legislation does not apply.

Being nationals of the EU Member States to which their countries and territories are constitutionally linked, OCT inhabitants hold EU citizenship. The OCTs' total population represents only 0.02% of the world population (1.2 million).Their total land mass represents only 80,000 sq km[3].

1. Procedural issues and consultation of interested parties

1.1. Organisation and timing

The preparation of the new Overseas Association Decision OAD has been carried out under the lead of DG Development and Cooperation - EuropeAid. The drafting of this Impact Assessment report has been coordinated by the Inter-service Group (ISG) for Overseas Countries and Territories, acting as Impact Assessment Steering Group and composed by representatives of all relevant services[4]. It aimed at ensuring consistency of the proposals developed within this report with other EU policies and duly took into consideration the consultations, reviews and studies mentioned in Section 1.3. The European Investment Bank was also consulted.

Given the wide scope of the OAD, specific working groups conducted detailed analysis of environmental issues and climate change on the one hand and of trade and trade related aspects on the other hand. These working groups delivered specific reports that are attached as Annexes 11 and 12 to the present report.

Given that EU financial assistance to OCTs have been financed by the European Development Fund (EDF) so far and that the European Commission have proposed to continue this funding for the next multi-annual financial framework (MFF), this impact assessment took into consideration the Impact Assessment conducted in the context of the preparation of the proposal for the 11th EDF[5].

1.2. Impact Assessment Board (IAB)

Two versions were successively submitted to the Impact Assessment Board which delivered its opinions on 17 February 2012 and on 7 May 2012. IAB's comments were incorporated in this revised version of the report. In particular, the following changes were made: the scope of the OAD was better explained in the introduction in order to underline the fact that the OAD will apply to all OCTs, irrespectively of their level of wealth or other specific characteristics. The outcome of past consultations, studies and evaluations was better explained (section 1.3 and Annexe 5) and linked to the underlined drivers. Furthermore, the problems were better identified and linked to the objectives and policy options (in that regard two tables were added for clarity). International financial services and taxation issues were incorporated in the report. Policy options were revised in order to clearly explain the shortcomings of the current OAD and the discarded policy options were mentioned in the report. The options were compared in terms of effectiveness, efficiency and coherence. Furthermore, the report fully integrates and references the findings in the annexes. The specific reports on environmental issues on the one hand and on trade issues on the other hand were incorporated in the report as annexes and were referenced where necessary as appropriate in the main report. Finally, former Annex 4 has been incorporated, as requested, in the main text and a glossary (Annex 2) was added.

1.3. Consultation and expertise: review of consultations, studies and evaluation reports

In accordance with the greater emphasis placed on consultation and expertise as a tool to inform policy making, the present report takes account of a wide range of consultations, studies and evaluation reports.

Outcome of stakeholders' consultation

The revision of the OAD has been the subject of various stakeholders' consultations throughout the period 2008-2011. These include public consultations, but also ad hoc regular meetings between the OCTs, the Member States to which they are constitutionally linked and the European Commission, as well as dialogue foreseen under the association such as the annual Forums, the regular trilateral meetings, or the partnership working parties dedicated to environmental issues, trade issues, regional integration of the OCTs, financial services in the OCTs and the future EU-OCTs relations.

The outcome of stakeholders' consultation highlighted the following issues:

Paradigm shift and new policy priorities

In their replies to the Green Paper[6], stakeholders called for a change of the association's current focus on poverty reduction and development cooperation to a more reciprocal relationship focused on the sustainable development of the OCTs (i.e. a development model that conciliates economic activities and social well-being in the long run while preserving natural resources and ecosystems for future generations), which could, at the same time, support the promotion of EU values and standards in the wider world.

This was highlighted during the interventions at the stakeholders' conference in October 2008 which gathered over 100 interested parties from the OCTs' authorities, their Member States, the EU's institutions and bodies and civil society at large.

The Council of the European Union in its Conclusions of 22 December 2009[7] welcomed and expressed support to the change of paradigm.

In a Joint Position Paper[8] adopted in February 2011, the OCTs and their Member States called for a better recognition of the OCTs as part of the European family, an association further based on the mutual interests of the EU and the OCTs and a focus on potential and vulnerabilities of the OCTs. The document also draws the attention to the issues of preference erosion and other trade related issues and building capacity, and calls for the EU to recognise the efforts the OCTs have made in complying with international standards in the area of tax governance and the regulation of financial services.

It was also underlined that issues relating to environment, climate change and disaster risk reduction should constitute a priority for the future EU-OCT relations: sustainable use and protection of OCTs biodiversity and natural resources, environmental security, energy and renewable energy, ecosystems conservation, fight against climate change impacts and mitigation, preparedness and response to disasters, invasive species, sustainable fisheries. Stakeholders[9] called for an enhanced cooperation of the EU with the OCTs and Outermost regions in the field of conservation of biodiversity and ecosystems services.

EU's solidarity with the OCTs

Solidarity between the EU and OCTs should be based on the fact that OCT inhabitants, as nationals of the related Member States, were also EU citizens. It was underlined that by helping OCTs to strengthen their competitiveness and resilience, reduce their vulnerability and implant themselves in their regional environment, the EU would actually be investing in strategic outposts able to promote EU values in the world.

Lessons and conclusions from studies

The EU-OCT association was analysed in various studies[10], commissioned either by the European Commission or by the OCTs. These studies covered topics such as the trade regime contained in the OAD, the OCTs' environmental profiles, OCT statistical systems and capacities, OCT disaster preparedness as well as the cooperation of the EU with the OCT during the period 1999-2009[11]. This latter evaluation was presented and discussed with the stakeholders on the occasion of the annual OCT-EU Forum in March 2011.

The main conclusions of these studies are:

Financial assistance to OCTs[12]

The external evaluation study conducted in 2011[13] found that the EU-OCT financial cooperation in the period 1999-2009 (under the 8th and 9th EDF as well as under the Greenland budget lines) was coherent with both the association's objectives and the OCTs' political priorities.

Out of EUR 380 million committed, 31% were dedicated to education (e.g. skills development in mining industry, a sector with export potential in New Caledonia), 23 % to transport infrastructure (e.g. upgrade of harbours, air-ports and road infrastructure to improve connectivity of Saint-Pierre et Miquelon, St. Helena, Ascension Island and Tristan da Cunha, Anguilla, New Caledonia, Turks and Caicos and Montserrat with the world), 21 % to water and sanitation infrastructure, 9 % to environment (management and protection of resources, disaster preparedness and waste management), 7 % to island economies and 9 % to activities such as technical assistance and cooperation on trade and trade related areas (e.g. support to trade in services, notably in the area of tourism in Montserrat or support to trade development of Falkland Islands, including key export sectors, such as fisheries, aquaculture, meat production and tourism).

Despite the positive results obtained, the study recommended that the current association framework be revised so as to better adapt the financial assistance framework to political priorities that have recently emerged as well as the needs and realities of OCTs. It has to be noted that this aspect falls within the scope of the powers of the Commission to administratively manage EU financial assistance and therefore it is not addressed in the OAD. It will be detailed in the Commission Regulation implementing the OAD.

The study also highlighted that there was a need to foster cooperation between OCTs and their neighbouring countries was also identified as a means to reach efficiency. In this respect, the study highlighted that cooperation between the OCTs and their neighbours (third countries, ACP States or outermost regions of the EU) is insufficiently facilitated by the EU.

Access to EU programmes and horizontal budget lines[14] has, despite the full eligibility of the OCTs to these programmes, proven difficult to implement, due primarily to lack of administrative capacity in most OCTs. The OCTs are more than willing to participate in the different programmes, yet there is need for better information and guidance in the application process.

The study recommended that the current association framework be revised so as:

(a) to incorporate the political priorities mentioned above in the programming the themes and political priorities that have emerged in the last decade;

(b) to promote cooperation between OCTs and their neighbouring countries, amongst others through a better coordination and coherence of EU actions and strategies in relation with the different actors;

(c) to facilitate access to EU horizontal programmes, notably through information sessions and/or seminars financially supported by a dedicated envelope or by means foreseen in each programme.

Trade and trade related issues[15]

In their overall assessments of the OCT trade regime, OCTs, their Member States as well as external evaluators all agree that the trade and economic component of the EU-OCT association has contributed to the sustainable social and economic development of OCTs by providing OCTs a secure access to the large EU market, providing numerous export opportunities, and supporting local economies. Echoing the conclusion of an earlier external evaluation of the 9th EDF[16], ECO Consult et al. (2011) stated that EU-OCT cooperation programmes and projects under the 8th and 9th EDF had been highly relevant to the individual OCTs' needs as well as coherent with both the association's objectives and the OCTs' own priorities[17]. As regards coherence between EU support to the OCTs and other EU policies (migration, trade, fisheries etc.) ECO Consult et al. (2011) found no marked contradictions or inconsistencies[18].

Even if the OCT trade regime has provided levers for the OCTs' economic development, certain areas of improvement were identified. LUFF et al. (2010) and others have pointed out that while the EU offers OCT wide market access, this has not always translated in actual trade opportunities, as OCTs faced several challenges to effectively exploit the market access that was offered. The challenges not only relate to structural difficulties OCTs face, such as the size of their economies and their enterprise, the remoteness of their territories or even the absence of OCT trade policies, but also have to a certain extent to do with the EU rules and conditions which define the OCTs' actual market access. The studies also point out that the relative worth of the OCTs' duty free and quota free market access is decreasing as a result of progressive trade liberalisation on a global and regional scale. Finally, the studies highlighted that compared to the arrangements for trade in goods, the OAD arrangements for trade in services were relatively underdeveloped.

The recommendations of external evaluators were:

(a) to adapt the arrangements concerning trade in goods so as to better take into account structural difficulties (small sized economies, enterprises, administrative capacity), amongst others by introducing more flexible rules of origin for OCT goods exports to the EU;

(b) to allow for the possibility for OCTs to engage in more favourable trade relations with other OCTs and developing countries, so as to reflect the increasing importance that trade in services has gained in world and regional economies in the last decade and to facilitate regional integration in this area;

(c) to foresee support and capacity building for the development of OCT trade related policies as well as to assist OCTs in regulatory reform;

(d) to support dissemination within OCTs of information regarding the conditions defining access to the EU market (e.g. European technical, food and consumer health regulations);

(e) to maintain the direct dialogue between the European Commission and the OCTs on e.g. trade and trade related issues and ensure that OCT interests are taken into account in the context of EU trade negotiations.

One example of the difficulties that OCTs have encountered in accessing the EU market relates to the rules of origin and the requirements for OCT fish exports to the EU. One of the requirements concerns the nationality of the crew that operate the fishing vessels that catch fish outside an OCT's territorial waters[19]. For example, due to their remoteness and small size population, the Falkland Islands have had difficulties in complying with this requirement. As a consequence, the Falkland Islands are dependent on temporary derogations from the rules of origin to ensure that its fish products caught outside territorial waters can be exported to the EU free of duty.

Another example of problems relating to the rules of origin which OCTs have encountered relate to the possibilities for OCTs to cumulate their own materials and materials from third countries in view of exporting originating goods that may enter the EU market duty free and quota free. Presently, the OAD allows OCTs to cumulate materials from other OCTs, ACP States or from EU Member States. However, for certain OCTs, such as the isolated OCTs (e.g. Greenland and Saint-Pierre et Miquelon) cumulation with ACP States or EU Member States is either not interesting or not feasible as these partners are located too far away. These OCTs are more interested in cumulation possibilities with other third countries, such as Canada, which is currently not allowed under the OAD, unless derogations are granted.

Environmental issues[20]

The study "OCTs environmental profiles"[21] identified the following main concerns of the OCTs:

– climate change,

– natural disasters,

– threats to wildlife and biodiversity, habitat destruction,

– illegal, unregulated and unreported fishing,

– waste management,

– water supply and sanitation.

Another external study[22] on the cooperation of the EU with the OCTs during the period 1999-2009 concluded that environment and climate change adaptation are regarded as matters of vital importance to the OCTs. However, only few concrete results of the EU-OCT cooperation were found in this field due to limited funding, despite the recognition of the importance of the environment, the reality of climate change and the importance of disaster preparedness. The study therefore recommended that for the post 2013 EU-OCT relationship, the association framework should be revisited in order to better respond to new and emerging priorities in the OCTs, such as energy and climate change and to address new objectives such as sustainable management of natural resources and conservation of biodiversity.

The Communication[23] from the Commission of 6 November 2009

The outcome of the public consultation process and the conclusions from the studies were taken into account by the European Commission in its proposals for the orientations of the future association of the OCTs with the EU. In its Communication of 6 November 2009, the Commission recognised the necessity for the EU-OCT association to focus more on a partnership based on the mutual interests of the EU and the OCTs rather than on the fight against poverty. The Communication identified three central objectives in order to pursue the purpose of the association as stated in Article 198 TFEU: (i) enhancing OCTs' competitiveness, (ii) reducing their vulnerabilities and (iii) promoting their cooperation with other partners.

1.4. Statistical Data

The analysis in this report is based on both qualitative and quantitative data, where available. An important reservation needs to be made regarding the latter. The analysis below mainly draws on data directly available to the European Commission and external studies, one of which was specifically dedicated to OCT statistical systems and capabilities[24]. For instance, the study found that whereas all of the OCTs that responded to its survey produced statistics relative to trade (exports and imports in broad categories, volume and value), these were not always publicly available (through websites, hard copies and/or CD-ROM). Among the reasons given to explain the lack of public availability of certain statistics the following four were most cited: lack of demand, provision only on demand, lack of financial resources and unreliability or non-conformity with international standards. Where statistics were publicly available, their publication was not always timely and the reference periods not up to date. Also, the available statistics were not always in conformity with internationally agreed nomenclatures[25].

2. Problem Definition

2.1. The problem requiring action and the scope of the decision

2.1.1. The problem

Since the adoption in 2001 of the current OAD, the regional and international environments in which OCTs operate has considerably changed. New political priorities have emerged at European and international level, (such as environment, climate change, sustainable management of natural resources) as well as changes in global trade patterns. The European Commission proposed a strategy[26] articulated around three priorities: smart growth, sustainable growth and inclusive growth as a response to the economic and financial crisis.

For their part, the OCTs continue to face economic and social problems and/or struggle to found their economies on a sustainable basis. They are confronted with a number of difficulties linked to their fragile environments and the need to secure the environmental pillar of sustainable development.

2.1.2. Main challenges

Based on the results of the various studies and consultation of stakeholders, it appears that the main challenge OCTs face consists in putting their economies and societies on a sustainable development path by improving their competitiveness, reducing their vulnerability, increasing environmental resilience, and cooperating with their neighbours and integrating in the regional and/or world economies, where this is possible.

Economic challenges

OCT economies all have, in general, small-sized domestic markets due to their small populations. Trade development therefore often represents an important potential for OCT economic development. However, OCT production bases are generally small and economic activity is often concentrated in a few sectors.

As net importers all of them face structurally negative trade balances with the rest of the world, even if between 2004 and 2008 overall OCT exports grew 9% annually from USD 1.2 billion to USD 1.8 billion. In the same period, however, OCT imports increased with 10% every year from USD 3.4 billion to USD 5.9 billion[27]. OCT exports are generally concentrated in a few sectors.

For some OCTs, economic ties with the EU are of great importance, but in general OCT/EU trade tends to be one-sided. For other OCTs, the economic ties between them and the EU remain limited. The tendency for OCTs to run trade deficits is reflected in OCT/EU trade flows. In 2010 the OCT/EU import/export ratio was approximately 1/2, with the value of EU27 exports to the OCTs amounting to over EUR 2 billion and the value OCT exports to the EU27 amounting less than EUR 1 billion (see Annex 8). While OCTs export mainly fishery and other mineral and natural products to the EU, the EU primarily exports industrial products and some agro-food products to the OCTs.

Services represent an important part of the economy in all OCTs, though the actual percentage varies. In light of the increasing importance that trade in services has acquired in the world economy and the limited potential for development of trade in goods, OCTs show considerable interest in developing economic activity and exports in their services sectors as a way to diversify their economies. Tourism and related sectors (culture, recreation and sports) came out as drawing the most attention. Other sectors being considered by OCTs were: (renewable) energy (consulting, engineering etc.) and environment services (environment protection etc.) as well as business, telecommunication and other supporting services (telephone support services, data storage, internet traffic relay etc.)[28].

In some OCTs, located in the Caribbean, financial services are the mainstay of their economies. In 2008, the values of the respective GDPs of the Cayman Islands and British Virgin Islands were estimated at USD 2.87 billion and USD 1.215 billion[29]. Foreign investments into the territories amounted to USD 10.9 billion and USD 3 billion respectively, the bulk of which goes to the financial sector. Investment outflows are important as well. By contrast, productive investments in the real economy are modest, especially when compared with other OCTs such as New Caledonia.[30]

Environmental challenges[31]

All OCTs are characterised by a high biological diversity as they are remote and have developed in isolation. These insular and remote countries and territories constitute privileged locations for the development of endemic species, whether animal or vegetable, terrestrial or marine. However, the OCTs’ potential as regards biodiversity is subject to several threats such as the impacts of climate change or the introduction of non-endemic species. OCTs are amongst the insular countries that have to face the impacts of climate change. Depending on the geographical location of the OCTs, the effects of climate change will be different: melting of permafrost, coral reef bleaching impacting marine fauna and flora, salinisation of fresh wateraquifer are among examples.

The insular characteristics of the OCTs make them particularly exposed to environmental shocks as well as natural disasters whose frequency could be influenced by climate change. The OCTs are particularly vulnerable to climatic, seismic and volcanic risks and to tsunamis. Such natural disasters can easily destroy the infrastructures and hamper the economic activities. Besides the risk of economic paralysis, these phenomena can cause a heavy human toll and lead to the displacement of populations, and are thus likely to disrupt the economic and social organisation of the OCTs.

OCTs are highly reliant on fossil fuels imported at high transport costs, which make them extremely vulnerable to external economic shocks. They therefore face the challenge of reducing this energetic vulnerability.

Finally, sustainable management of water and waste is of vital importance in OCTs. These issues are among the most challenging OCTs need to face, as the absence of critical mass in these countries and territories make adapted solutions necessary.

2.2. The underlying drivers of the problem

The underlying drivers of the problem identified above can be summarised as follows:

(1) The OCTs have difficulties to overcome handicaps due to their physical characteristics (insular, small, remote, variable in size of exclusive economic zone);

(2) They fail to mitigate their high vulnerability linked to their geographic characteristics (located in areas of cyclonic and seismic activities, exposed to impacts of climate change such as coral reef bleaching or sea level rise, highly dependent on imports of fossil fuels at high transport costs);

(3) They hardly overcome low administrative capacities due to their small size and, as a consequence, they face difficulties in elaborating and implementing policy tools and developing infrastructures;

(4) They fail to develop their micro-economies characterized by structural weaknesses, a small undiversified production base, with exports concentrated in a few sectors [32]:

(5) They are confronted with erosion of trade preferences for OCTs in their relations with the EU and increased competition for their exports in third markets, due to the conclusion of an increasing number of free trade agreements (FTAs) by major trading partners (the EU, the US and Canada) that are important destination markets for some OCTs;

(6) They are sometimes unable to be covered by initiatives/agreements concluded by the EU and/or their Member States aiming at tackling political priorities at European and international level that emerged in the last ten years such as impacts of climate change with third partners, lowering the capacities of the OCTs to join global response mechanisms.

Table 2: problems and underlying drivers

Problems || Underlying drivers

OCTs continue to face economic and social problems || · Handicaps linked to their physical characteristics · Low administrative capacities · Micro-economies with structural weaknesses

OCTs are confronted to difficulties linked to their vulnerable environments || · vulnerability linked to their geographic characteristics

The OCTs do not benefit from the changes global trade patterns and global issues that emerged the last ten years || · Erosion of trade preferences and increased competition for their exports to third markets · Incapacity to be part of initiatives relating to global issues that emerged in the last ten years

2.3. The EU's right to act and the EU added value

The EU's right to act in the area of EU-OCT relations derives primarily from Part Four of the TFEU. The purpose of the EU-OCT association, the social and economic development and close economic ties between the OCTs and the EU as a whole, cannot be achieved via actions at Member States level. Moreover, with regard to the OCT trade regime, Member States actions would not be possible as the common commercial policy falls within the domain of the EU's exclusive competence (Part Five, Title II of the TFEU). According to Article 206, the EU's trade policy should contribute to the harmonious development of world trade, the progressive abolition of restrictions on international trade and on foreign investment, and the lowering of customs and other barriers. The rules of the EU-OCT preferential trade relations are governed by the principles laid down in Title II of Part Five of the TFEU regarding the EU's trade policy.

As stipulated in Article 203 of the TFEU, the Council of the EU shall lay down provisions as regards the detailed rules, arrangements and procedures of the association of OCTs with the Union[33]. These include trade and trade related issues, customs arrangements, public health, public security or public policy and freedom of movement for workers throughout the OCTs and Member States. This is expected to be in accordance with the principles laid down in the TFEU regarding the definition and implementation of EU policies and activities, concerning inter alia environment and gender equality (TFEU Part One).

In view of increasingly complex challenges, none of the EU's internal priorities – security, smart, inclusive and sustainable growth and job creation, climate change, access to energy, resource efficiency, including the protection of biodiversity, safe management of water or waste, health and pandemics, education - will be achieved in isolation from the wider world.

With 27 Member States acting within common policies and strategies, the EU alone has the critical mass to respond to global challenges, such as climate change. The action of individual Member States can be limited and fragmented. This critical mass also puts the EU in a better position to conduct policy dialogue with partner OCT governments.

Through its external action, the EU is committed to promoting its standards, and sharing its expertise. The OCTs have the potential for becoming strategic outposts of the EU throughout the world. Upgrading the OCTs legislation and standards to EU levels could increase both the influence of the OCTs and subsequently the EU in their respective regions.

3. Objectives of the future legislative framework

On the basis of the policy needs, problems and drivers that are anticipated in the period until 2020, the general and specific objectives of the OAD 2014-2020 are as follows[34].

3.1. General objectives

Based on the Articles 198 and 199 TFEU, the general objectives are:

(1) to promote the economic and social development of the OCTs;

(2) to establish close economic relations between the OCTs and the EU as a whole;

(3) to further the interests and prosperity of the inhabitants of the OCTs in order to lead them to the economic, social and cultural development to which they aspire;

(4) to allow OCTs to benefit from the same trade treatment that Member States accord to each other

(5) to promote the definition and implementation of environmental policies in the OCTs as one of the three pillars of sustainable development (alongside with economic and social development).

3.2. Specific objectives

Throughout the various consultations and external studies, a clear consensus has arisen among stakeholders, external assessors and political actors alike that the purpose and objectives of the association, as laid down in Articles 198 and 199 of the TFEU, would need to be translated into the objectives identified by the Commission as central to this framework and which were endorsed by the Council of the EU[35]. The specific objectives might seem broader and less detailed than would be appropriate for any particular programme. The key purpose of these objectives is to provide a basis for assessing the options in relation to the future priorities of the OAD.

The specific objectives of the next association framework would therefore be as follows:

o to help promote EU's values and standards in the wider world;

o to establish a more reciprocal relationship between EU and OCTs based on mutual interests;

o to enhance OCTs' competitiveness;

o to strengthen OCTs' resilience, reduce their economic and environmental vulnerabilities;

o to promote cooperation of OCTs with third partners;

o to integrate the latest EU policy agenda priorities;

o to take into account changes in global trade patterns and EU trade agreements with third partners.

Table 3: Link between problems and objectives

Problems || General Objectives || Specific objectives

OCTs continue to face economic and social problems || (6) To promote the economic and social development of the OCTs. (7) To establish close economic relations between the OCTs and the EU as a whole. (8) To further the interests and prosperity of the inhabitants of the OCTs in order to lead them to the economic, social and cultural development to which they aspire. (9) To allow OCTs to benefit from the same trade treatment that Member States accord to each other. (10) To promote the environmental development of the OCTs. || o To help promote EU's values and standards in the wider world. o To establish a more reciprocal relationship between EU and OCTs based on mutual interests. o To enhance OCTs' competitiveness. o To strengthen OCTs' resilience and reduce their economic and environmental vulnerabilities. o To promote cooperation of OCTs with third partners; o To integrate EU policy agenda priorities. o To take into account changes in global trade patterns and EU trade agreements with third partners.

OCTs are confronted to difficulties linked to their vulnerable environments || (11) To further the interests and prosperity of the inhabitants of the OCTs in order to lead them to the economic, social and cultural development to which they aspire. (12) To allow OCTs to benefit from the same trade treatment that Member States accord to each other. (13) To promote the environmental development of the OCTs. || o To help promote EU's values and standards in the wider world. o To establish a more reciprocal relationship between EU and OCTs based on mutual interests. o To enhance OCTs' competitiveness. o To strengthen OCTs' resilience and reduce their economic and environmental vulnerabilities. o To promote cooperation of OCTs with third partners.

Problems || General Objectives || Specific objectives

The EU-OCT association does not take into account the changes of global trade patterns and emerging global issues || (14) To promote the economic and social development of the OCTs. (15) To establish close economic relations between the OCTs and the EU as a whole. (16) Tto further the interests and prosperity of the inhabitants of the OCTs in order to lead them to the economic, social and cultural development to which they aspire. (17) To allow OCTs to benefit from the same treatment that Member States accord to each other. (18) To promote the environmental development of the OCTs. || o To help promote EU's values and standards in the wider world. o To establish a more reciprocal relationship between EU and OCTs based on mutual interests. o To enhance OCTs' competitiveness. o To strengthen OCTs' resilience and reduce their economic and environmental vulnerabilities. o To promote cooperation of OCTs with third partners. o To integrate EU policy agenda priorities. o To take into account changes in global trade patterns and EU trade agreements with third partners.

3.3. Consistency with external action priorities and other EU policies

The "Europe 2020" provides the benchmark against which the coherence of EU policies and the promotion of EU values, standards and interest need to be checked[36]. Coherence with the Europe 2020 strategy should be sought, as far as its smart growth and sustainable priorities are concerned, promoting support to research, innovation as well as to information and communication technologies (ICT) and sustainable growth capacities as catalysts for socio-economic development.

The 2014-2020 OAD will play an important role in that respect. Indeed, the idea of establishing ‘centres of experience and expertise’ could relate to the implementation and promotion of high standards, including international standards, e.g. in the fields of environment and food safety and consumer health. The OCTs are all characterised by rich biodiversity. The sustainable use and protection of this biodiversity would benefit from better scientific documentation and access to research results.

Likewise, the implementation of international standards within the area of food safety, animal and plant health could facilitate trade between OCTs and their trading partners, including EU Member States. The EU's commitment to environmental standards as well as its role as a global player in the fight against climate change could be of great value to both the EU and the OCTs. The European Commission believes that biodiversity and other natural assets of the OCTs could be the object of a strengthened cooperation in the field of research and conservation. A partnership in the area of environment could be of mutual interest to both parties.

4. Policy options

4.1. Discarded options

a) No EU action

The option ‘no EU action’ is not assessed in this impact assessment report as Part IV of the TFEU constitutes in itself an obligation for the EU to act.

b) Two distinctive Council Decisions: one for trade regime and another for cooperation for sustainable development

This option was discarded since it would weakness the possibility to define a comprehensive framework for all OCTs. In addition, it would rather increase the legislative burden for EU institutions and would limit the visibility of the EU-OCT partnership.

4.2. Policy option 1: Status Quo Renewal of the current Overseas Association Decision without any changes.

Under Policy option 1, the structure and the content of the currently into force Association Decision would be maintained for the period 2014-2020.

Cooperation issues

Fight against poverty will continue to be the overall goal of the association despite the fact that the Commission, the Member States, the OCTs and all stakeholders have recognised its inappropriateness in an EU-OCT framework of cooperation. Furthermore, the various areas of cooperation will be maintained without any particular focus on the mutual interests of the EU and OCTs.

Trade rules

The arrangements for trade between the EU and the OCTs would remain unchanged (no possibility for introduction of provisions for improved conditions under which OCTs access the EU market nor for modifications in terms of the arrangements for trade in services and establishment). Finally, under this option, and given the developments in trade patterns and EU/third countries trade agreements, the EU would not be in a position to comply with its Treaty obligations requiring applying to the OCTs the same treatment as the one Member States accord each other.

Financial assistance

Under policy option 1, EDF resources would be distributed between five main categories (Territorial, Regional, Technical Assistance, Emergency/Humanitarian Aid, European Investment Bank – Investment Facility) and according to the same key of distribution of the total envelope (69%, 14%, 2%, 5% and 10% respectively). In addition to the financial allocations under the EDF, the OCTs would remain eligible to the horizontal budget lines of the EU.

Implementation of policy option 1

According to policy option 1 the period of validity of the next OAD would be 2014- 2020. It would also imply the definition and adoption of a Commission Regulation laying the implementation modalities of the OAD as well as the establishment of programming guidelines following consultations with OCTs and their Member States. In terms of implementation of the financial cooperation under policy option 1, a margin of flexibility could be built in by reserving a given amount as non-programmed aid to respond to unforeseen events and mitigate the impact of economic external shocks. Dedicated technical assistance and capacity building would be made available to support the OCTs in identifying and formulating comprehensive policies and subsequent implementation plans, namely in the areas chosen for EU financial assistance.

Policy option 1 would allow the EU-OCT association to continue to support the OCTs, the same way as the current framework does, in the economic and social problems they face and the difficulties linked to their vulnerable environment they are confronted with. The implementation of the OAD as proposed under policy option 1 would not allow addressing the issues in relation with the need to take into account changes in global trade patterns and emerging global issues.

4.3. Policy option 2: Modernisation of the Overseas Association Decision and alignment with EU policy framework

Option 2 would modernise and align the OAD with the EU policy framework. Its objectives and principles would be revised, taking into account the political orientations of the Council of the EU, the requests the OCTs and their Member States expressed on different occasions as well as the results of external studies.

Cooperation issues

Under this option, the EU-OCT cooperation would give a particular focus on areas of mutual interests, as called for by the stakeholders and underlined as a recommendation in the external studies, e.g climate change, biodiversity conservation, research and innovation, allowing to take into account the international political priorities that emerged in the last ten years and which are in accordance with the Europe 2020 agenda. Furthermore, under this option, the EU-OCT association would contribute to the promotion of EU interests and values, considering OCTs as outposts of the EU in their regions.

Trade rules[37]

Under policy option 2, the trade regime would continue to give OCTs duty free and quota free access to the EU market. In parallel, new provisions would foresee improved conditions under which OCTs could access the EU market by revising the preferential rules of origin (e.g. deletion of the requirement regarding the nationality of the crew manning vessels fishing outside territorial waters and the inclusion of new or clearer definitions of wholly obtained goods and minimal operations, lighter administrative requirements regarding evidence of direct transport of OCT goods between the OCT's territory and the EU, new possibilities for cumulation, more flexible administrative procedures for granting derogations to the rules of origin with period of validity determined on a case by case basis, etc.). In addition, policy option 2 suggests revising the arrangements for trade in services and establishment and granting the OCTs Most Favoured Nation treatment, where they currently receive only basic third country treatment (i.e. GATS).

Finally, policy option 2 suggests the introduction of new provisions that would ensure the correct management of trade preferences and the clarification of the respective responsibilities of OCTs, Member States and the EU concerning administrative errors and fraud.

Financial assistance

The financial assistance for the OCTs would still be based on territorial and regional envelopes. Option 2 suggests the increase (in comparison with the current OAD) of regional allocation. This would allow achieving the objectives aiming at better responding to issues that emerged in the last decade, and are of common interest to all OCTs and the EU. Some of these issues have been continuously highlighted by the OCTs and their Member States, such as: environment, climate change, statistical systems, disaster risk reduction, health threats, renewable energy and innovation.

The envisaged increase of the regional allocation under the 2014-2020 OAD would also serve the objective for an enhanced cooperation between OCTs and their neighbouring partners as well as the objective aiming at expanding the EU's sphere of influence via the OCTs. The OCTs, as recognised members of the wider European family and outposts of the EU in their respective regions, will thus directly benefit not only the EU as a whole but also their neighbours, thereby serving as a lever for the objectives of EU external policy.

Option 2 also proposes to renew the eligibility of the OCTs to all the EU programmes. Where relevant, EU programmes would have a dedicated window in favour of the OCTs (e.g. climate change, environmental research and biodiversity). Through a closer dialogue between Member states, the European Commission and the OCTs, a better alignment of the EU assistance and the aid provided by the Member States would be pursued. This would facilitate the creation of synergies between the two types of assistance and would lead to more predictability and aid efficiency.

Policy option 2 does not foresee a change in relation with the programming modalities of financial resources. Indeed, "territorial" and "regional" financial allocations would be programmed in a Programming Document (PD). The OCTs would be requested to concentrate the EU financial support on a single focal sector. For the regional envelope the choice of focal sector would be done from the list of themes of mutual interest mentioned above.

Implementation of policy option 2

The period of validity of the next OAD would be 2014- 2020. As policy option 1, policy option 2 would also imply the definition and adoption of a Commission Regulation laying the implementation modalities of the OAD as well as the establishment of programming guidelines following consultations with OCTs and their Member States. In terms of implementation of the financial cooperation under policy option 2, a margin of flexibility could be built in by reserving a given amount as non-programmed aid to respond to unforeseen events and mitigate the impact of economic external shocks. Dedicated technical assistance and capacity building would be made available to support the OCTs in identifying and formulating comprehensive policies and subsequent implementation plans, namely in the areas chosen for EU financial assistance.

In terms of programming, option 2 suggests to keep the current programming requirements and modalities while proposing that particular account will be taken and consideration will be given where it exists a "comprehensive territorial development plan" or a "comprehensive development plan agreed between the OCT and the Member State".

The association framework envisaged under policy option 2 would allow the EU to continue supporting the OCTs in their efforts to address the economic and social problems and difficulties they face in a more focused and coordinated way than the current framework does. It would fully take into account the requests expressed by the stakeholders for a more targeted cooperation on areas of mutual interests. Changes in global trade patterns and emerging global issues would be fully integrated in the new framework.

This policy option could contribute to the achievement of general and specific objectives defined in sections 3.1 and 3.2 above through a more focused and coordinated partnership, aligning with EU policy framework, EU policy agenda priorities and changes in global trade patterns.

4.4. Option 3: Several partnership agreements concluded

Option 3 would entail a diversification of EU-OCT relations. In the area of trade and economic cooperation two approaches would be adopted. Certain OCTs could be included in other EU bilateral trade arrangements, namely Economic Partnership agreements (EPAs) or FTAs, where relevant and possible. For the remaining OCTs, an OCT trade regime equivalent to policy option 1 or 2 would be foreseen under the association framework. Whilst this would not cover the trade and economic cooperation with those OCTs which would have been included in other trade agreements, it could cover cooperation with all OCTs in all other areas. An alternative option would consist in having all cooperation with OCTs that would fall under an EPA or FTA take place in the context of these agreements. This would include that financial assistance would also take place outside of the association framework.

Cooperation issues

Integrating OCTs in other trade agreements would imply that at least that EU-OCT trade related cooperation would be channelled via the specific institutional set up of the agreements in which the OCTs would be integrated. For other areas of cooperation, such as environment and climate change, EU-OCT cooperation could also be included in this framework or could continue to take place in an EU-OCT specific framework covering all OCTs or only one OCT, irrespective of the trade regime under which they would fall.

Trade rules

Under this option, it would be made use of theoretical opportunities for the inclusion of OCTs in EU trade agreements with the Caribbean region (for Dutch and British OCTs), the Central American and Andean countries (for Dutch OCTs), the Pacific region (for French and British OCTs) and Canada (for French and Danish OCTs). As a consequence, OCTs would not only be ensured market access to the EU, but also to the market(s) of the other co-signatories of the relevant trade agreement(s). In exchange, the OCTs would have to open up their markets to the EU and the trade partner(s) concerned through negotiations. OCT commitments would have to be negotiated for each OCT separately.

The rules of origin applicable to OCT goods would be the ones negotiated in the context of the agreement in which the OCTs would be integrated. For example, under the EPAs, the OCTs would benefit from a number of simplifications and relaxations of the general provisions and product specific rules that were introduced prior to the reform of the General System of Preferences (GSP). Thus, the OCTs concerned would not benefit from innovations such as the deletion of the crew requirement for vessels fishing outside of territorial waters or the simplification of the rule on direct transport. However, such innovations could be introduced at a later stage, at the moment when the EU and its relevant trade partners review their agreement. Additional cumulation possibilities could be foreseen, depending of the EPA that the OCTs would join (cumulation with neighbouring countries belonging to a coherent geographical entity or cumulation for products entering the EU duty free quota free under MFN[, GSP] or, for industrial products, under an FTA with the EU). For example, in the Pacific EPA, the OCTs would have access to the global sourcing provision, allowing them to import non-originating tuna for further processing that would benefit from preferential access when exported to the EU[38].

OCTs that would be integrated in an EU trade agreement would benefit from the commitments in trade in services and establishment which the EU took in the context of that agreement. These OCTs would need to give further market access to both the EU and the third countries concerned.

The goods and services of those OCTs which would not be integrated in other trade agreements would receive a treatment in line with the ones described in policy options 1 and 2.

Financial assistance

For those OCTs that would be included in other trade agreements, the trade and economic cooperation would take place in the relevant FTA or EPA. Trade and economic cooperation with OCTs would take place in the context of the relevant trade agreement. Cooperation in other areas would continue to take place in a framework specific to the OCTs. Financial assistance would be provided under the 11th EDF, taking into account the different cooperation frameworks that would be foreseen.

Implementation of policy option 3

Integrating or associating OCTs to other trade agreements would imply considerable legal changes. It would imply that OCTs joining such an agreement would not be covered by Part IV of the TFEU. Their Member States would have to request that the OCTs concerned be removed from Annex II to the TFEU, which lists the OCTs associated to the EU, if the substantive FTA provisions would be incompatible with it. Inclusion of OCTs within the scope of EU trade agreements would be subject to negotiations between the EU’s trade partners, representatives of the OCTs themselves and the EU. As OCTs are not sovereign States, Member States would have to represent them in the negotiations with the EU and the trade partner concerned. The agreements that have already been concluded would need to be amended to incorporate the OCTs and adapt them so as to cover the realities of the OCTs. Some trading partners may request concessions from EU to accommodate the inclusion of OCTs.

Option 3 would bring EU-OCT relations in line with the current EU policy agenda, incorporating new political priorities such as environment, climate change, biodiversity, sustainable management of natural resources and food safety, while ensuring the upgrading of EU-OCT trade relations.

The inclusion of OCTs in other EU trade agreements could stimulate these OCTs' integration in regional and world economies but would generate a multiplication of trade regimes and cooperation settings which would constitute a real challenge in implementation terms of the association between the EU and the OCTs as a group.

5. Impact assessment of policy options

As a consequence of the absence of up-dated comparable and reliable statistics[39] regarding OCTs, assessing the impacts of the different policy options is challenging. External assessors have commented that the absence of data made it difficult if not impossible to assess the possible social, economic and environmental impacts that certain EU measures may have on the OCTs. Therefore, the assessment of different policy options is focusing on quality rather than on quantitative impacts (for a more detailed analysis of the impacts of the different policy options in the fields of environment and climate change and the trade and trade related aspects of the OAD, see Annex 11 chapter 5 and Annex 12 section 7.3).

5.1. Assessment policy option 1

Social and economic impacts

Deterioration of EU market access for OCTs: any trade-related impact would stem from increased competition which OCTs might face on the EU market as a consequence of EU third partners gaining better market access for their goods and services (e.g. through an FTA or via a multilateral agreement). An OCT loss in competitiveness might translate in weakened EU-OCT economic ties. Policy option 1 might also be an option in which the trade rules would not offer enough incentives to those OCTs that currently do not maintain strong economic relations with the EU to start doing so. It is therefore unlikely that the trade rules under policy option 1 would promote OCT economic diversification. Regional integration of the OCTs would be undermined as the set of rules of origin would not offer additional opportunities for OCTs to source inputs from their neighbours, and thus trade more with them (a detailed analysis is provided in Annex 12 section 7.3.2).

Environmental impact

Maintaining the status quo would fail to impulse greater positive impact of the EU-OCT association on the OCTs' environment. The absence of the recognition of environmental and climate change issues as an area of mutual interest for the EU and the OCTs undermines progress in these fields in which only a few OCTs decide to cooperate with the EU.

Furthermore, policy option 1 would not allow the EU to promote its political agenda and its international commitments[40] regarding biodiversity, green energy, climate change and disaster risk reduction in the OCTs, and the OCTs would not help to promote EU's values and standard in these fields in the wider world.

Administrative impact

This option would not influence the administrative burden of neither the EU nor the OCTs. The programming cycle would remain the same, as would the legal framework. Under this option, it would be difficult to respond positively to the requests/recommendations expressed by the external evaluators in relation with the promotion of the cooperation between OCTs and their neighbouring countries, amongst others through a better coordination of the respective financial instruments available to OCTs, ACP States and the Outermost Regions of the EU (European Regional Development Fund - ERDF). Furthermore, option 1 would not allow adapting rules and procedures of the programming of financial assistance.

5.2. Assessment policy option 2

Social and economic impacts

Policy option 2 is likely to have a positive social and economic impact on OCTs due to the improvement of the market access conditions for OCT goods, a greater EU openness to OCT services operators and investors, and the possibility of more focused capacity building measures. Option 2 thus carries the potential for greater economic diversification and job creation in sectors such as renewable energies, ecosystems management, innovation etc. The proposed changes to the rules of origin are likely to result in a more effective use by OCTs of the export opportunities offered by the OCT trade regime.

Simplifying and relaxing conditions, strengthening transparency and coherence with the rules of origin of other trade partners is likely to result in efficiency gains, increase the attractiveness and legal certainty for investments in economic sectors that depend on preferential market access and reduce administrative burdens for OCT companies and authorities. The diversification of cumulation possibilities would allow for an improvement of sourcing opportunities for OCT companies, which could have a positive influence on their competitive position and could stimulate the development of economic relations between OCTs and other third countries.

Through technical assistance and capacity building OCTs could be supported in complying with technical, sanitary and phyto-sanitary rules which constitute the most important obstacles which OCT exports face in accessing the EU market.

In the services sector, the benefits for OCTs would be considerable. In a first instance, the EU's market openness to OCTs' service operators would be aligned with the EU's most favourable treatment and would thereafter be automatically increased every time the EU would grant more favourable treatment to other third partners. Whereas the weighted average openness of the EU corresponds to a factor 34 for modes 1,2 and 3 under GATS, it corresponds to a factor 57 (and 74 for establishment) under a preferential agreement such as the EPA with CARIFORUM[41].

Weighted Openness Index

The services sectors which would benefit most from removing limitations would be the construction services, environmental services, and recreational services; all of which are of interest to OCTs. By further opening its services sectors to OCTs' operators, the EU would stimulate the further development of new or existing sectors by offering additional opportunities for exports, including for cross-border trade through modern communication technologies. Those OCTs which highly depend on financial services would get the opportunity to diversify their economy by proposing a wider range of services. In addition, policy option 2 would open the non-services investment (establishment) to OCTs, which is currently not covered. It would also contribute to OCTs becoming more attractive destinations of foreign direct investment. Ensuring that OCTs automatically extend to the EU the treatment they give to major economies such as US or China would respect the spirit of the special relationship between EU and OCTs and would be a translation of the principle of reciprocity.

Within a bilateral dialogue, the EU might encourage OCTs to promote principles of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) among the companies investing and operating in their territory. This would positively impact social and environmental standards in OCTs.

The continued, targeted and coordinated support to OCT strategies, capacities, legislative and institutional frameworks proposed under policy option 2 is likely to increase the EU's involvement in OCT policies, regulatory models and the like. An avenue for doing so is offered by the new provisions concerning EU-OCT cooperation on trade which option 2 envisages.

The EU support to OCTs' capacity building could also concern the elaboration and/or implementation of social policies (e.g concerning unemployment or professional training) in order to accompany their strategies towards economic growth.

Environmental Impacts

The emphasis on regional allocation (suggested under option 2) in view of better responding to issues that emerged in the last decade, and are of common interest to all OCTs and the EU would ensure that the specific characteristics of the OCTs regarding environment, climate change and biodiversity issues, are dealt with more appropriately. The allocation of a specific envelope to environment and climate change would be in line with the EU policy agenda priorities and promote EU values. Furthermore, investment in improved natural environments and improvements in environmental quality would also result in substantial economic and health impacts.

Administrative impact

The automatic granting by the EU of the most favourable treatment in services would mean that the implementation of this policy option would not put additional strains on the limited administrative capacities of OCTs as long and complex negotiations would be avoided. The proposal to define the technical assistance for the entire period would ensure a more coherent identification period and a subsequently more efficient administration of the strategies and programmes chosen for cooperation. This would ensure coherence and exchange of know-how between the local administrations and external experts.

Shorter lead-in times for EU financial assistance and faster implementation of the EU assistance would lead to further development of OCTs capacities in the field of policy formulation and legislation.

Option 2 is expected to have a positive impact also in terms of timely programming thanks to the possibility which is proposed in relation with "comprehensive territorial development plans" or "comprehensive development plans" agreed between the OCT and their Member States and would be taken into account for defining the strategy of cooperation between OCTs and the EU.

5.3. Assessment policy option 3

Social and economic impacts

The impact of policy option 3 would depend on the results of the negotiations between the OCTs, the EU and the third partner(s) concerned. Thus, the impact would vary from one negotiation to another. In general, under this option OCT trade flows with the third partner(s) might gain in importance. On the other hand, their industries could face stronger competition in the OCTs' domestic markets as cheaper imported products could become available. Consumers would gain in this development. Where the cheaper products would serve as input to processing industries, the latter may benefit and become more competitive as costs would drop. The most sensitive products could be excluded from liberalisation. Customs revenues could go down and OCTs would then have to develop alternative sources of revenue that are less dependent on goods trade. The option could therefore have a serious impact on public spending in OCTs.

The social and economic impact of a possible inclusion of the Pacific OCTs in an EPA could stimulate the development of processing industry (for example fish/tuna), which might attract more foreign investment, at the expense of other partners (GSP+ and ACP countries). It could also lead to a vertical integration of the different industries. The EU's relevant processing industry could benefit from these developments if it would lead to a steady supply of these products to the EU. However, the EU industry could also be negatively affected by the stronger competition which they would face. In the most negative scenario, this could lead to job loss and the cessation of activities in certain EU Member States[42].

OCTs opening their market in services and establishment to their neighbours might bring in more foreign direct investment or temporary service providers as well as open markets for OCT service providers and investors. However, this depends on the outcome of the negotiations with third countries and the sectors every OCT would choose to liberalise. Due to limited administrative capacity for negotiations on the OCTs side, close cooperation and support would be needed during negotiations so as to avoid a premature liberalisation of sectors where domestic regulation has not been sufficiently developed to ensure consumer protection. Where the partner countries' interest for OCT markets is not very high, adding OCTs to EU FTAs (possibly including a multilateral negotiation in services and establishment) may mean that the EU will be asked by its FTA partners to compensate with further commitments. This would risk unbalancing the deal reached between EU and the partner country/ies.

Those OCTs that would join EPAs could gain access to nominally larger amounts of trade related financial assistance under the 11th European Development Fund, but they would have no guarantee that sufficient financial resources be dedicated to their needs as the interests of the bigger partners and the developing countries may prevail. This effect may be counteracted if the OCTs would ally themselves within their region with ACP States such as Antigua and Barbuda, Fiji, Guyana and Palau, which are Small Island Developing States and face similar challenges as the OCTs[43]. While gaining access to these funds, the OCTs would be cut off from other potential sources of financing from which they benefitted under the OAD, such as the internal horizontal programmes and budget lines of the EU. This would be the case as well for OCTs which would be integrated or associated to other free trade agreements. However, for them this loss would not be compensated by access to additional funds under external programmes covering their region.

Environmental impact

Given the size of OCTs, the environmental impact of including some of them in other trade agreements is likely to be limited and would not add to the environmental impact already identified for those agreements. The environmental impact of opening to a neighbouring country might also be higher than when opening to the EU alone, as one could expect that this would lead to an increase of transport related impacts, although these neighbours would tend to be located closer to the OCT than the EU. The net impact (compared to the status quo and the improved arrangements under option 2) would differ by OCT, the agreement to which it would be annexed and the situation in the OCTs in specific sectors prior to negotiations. For those OCTs that would remain in the trade regime under the OAD, the environmental impact would correspond to the one identified for policy options 1 or 2. Negative environmental impacts might be mitigated through cooperation with the EU on environmental issues.

Administrative impact

The negotiation and implementation of policy option 3 would be heavy and complex for OCTs, their Member States, the EU trade partner(s) and the EU alike. This process would have to be reiterated for every single trade agreement that would need to be amended to include specific OCTs.

6. Comparing and weighing the policy options

6.1. Comparing the policy options

Policy option 1

Maintaining the status quo could legitimately be considered as a valid option for the future EU-OCT association as current arrangements were found to have been beneficial for the OCTs' social and economic development, amongst others by providing free access to the large EU market and the possibility of support for exploiting the export opportunities this represents. The EU-OCT cooperation in the period 1999-2009 was considered by external studies to have been coherent with both the association's objectives and the OCTs' political priorities and concluded that no marked contradictions or inconsistencies had occurred between EU-OCT cooperation and other EU policies. Though consistent with Part Four of the TFEU and its Preamble, option 1 would not accomplish the shared ambition of OCTs, their Member States and the European Commission to reshape and modernise the EU-OCT relations on a reciprocal basis. Rather than modernising the relations and introducing a more reciprocal partnership, in which mutual interests could be better taken into account, the donor/beneficiary rationale which has traditionally underpinned EU-OCT relations would be maintained.

OCT goods and services access to the EU would remain subject to the existing rules and would lead to loss of market access for the OCTs (due to preference erosion). This would have a negative impact on the social and economic position of OCTs.

Policy option 2

Policy option 2 would enhance an EU-OCT cooperation based on the mutual interests the stakeholders identified throughout the consultation process. It would also promote a more efficient cooperation through a more focus and coordinated action between the EU, the OCTs and their Member States. Areas of cooperation recognized as priorities by the OCTs would receive an enhanced support from the EU (e.g.: conservation of biodiversity and ecosystem services, research and innovation).

Under policy option 2, the EU would support the OCTs to address sensitive issues undermining their sustainable development, such as climate change which they cannot tackle alone. For such challenges, insular territories cannot develop successful measures alone, they need to find partners and be integrated in global responses.

Policy option 2 would offer to the OCTs a modernised trade regime with the EU that would 1) entail improved rules and origins and 2) guarantee a treatment for trade in services and establishment that would not be less favourable than the one given by the EU to other third partners, which is not the case under the current framework.

Policy option 2 would be consistent with Part Four of the TFEU and its Preamble. It would also translate the political orientations of the Council of the EU on the three objectives of competitiveness, resilience and cooperation. Under policy option 2, the association framework would take into account recent policy developments and would take stock of discussions that emerged in the last decade. Policy coherence would be ensured under this option and would be strengthened. The social, economic and environmental impacts would be more positive than under options 1.

Policy option 2 would better reflect the notion of mutual interests than it is currently the case. It would allow the integration of EU policy agenda priorities in the relations between the EU and the OCTs and the EU added value as a global partner in emerging global issues would be enhanced. In doing so, the OCTs better promote EU's values and standards in the wider world.

Policy option 3

By integrating or associating OCTs to other trade agreements, some of the objectives of the OCT/EU association could be met. However, this would be done outside of the association as such. Furthermore, option 3 may not be fully adapted to the needs and realities of most or even all OCTs. There may be negative impacts also for the EU itself if significant compensation is required in order to incorporate the OCTs into existing agreements. By integrating OCTs in other trade agreements the associated countries and territories with constitutional links to Member States would legally and effectively cease to be OCTs. As the implementation of policy option 3 may result in the EU having to work out solutions for setting up different types of relations with each of the OCTs, the legal process would be very complicated and would need to be reiterated for every OCT. It would likely increase confusion as regards to their status and that of their inhabitants. Certain rules currently contained or being considered in the different agreements may not apply to OCT inhabitants to the extent that they are EU citizens.

Coherence

The three policy options are coherent with Part IV of the TFEU.

Policy options 2 and 3 will allow for consistency with the policy agendas and the political priorities that emerged in the last ten years, while policy option 1 would not align the association with these latest developments and would not fully integrate the three central objectives of competitiveness, resilience and cooperation that were proposed by the Commission and politically endorsed by the Council of the EU (cf. Section 1.3 above).

Effectiveness

Policy option 1 does not allow a definition of goals and objectives in conformity with the political priorities defined by the Commission in its Communication[44] on the elements for a new partnership between the EU and the OCTs and endorsed by the Council[45]. Indeed, policy option 1 does not foresee the revision of the Association Decision in order to integrate the new challenges faced by both the EU and the OCTs. Furthermore, the inability of the OAD to take into consideration the changes in the context of EU trade agreements with third partners would diminish the capability uner option 1 for the EU to attain the goal of a modernised EU-OCT framework.

On the contrary, policy option 2 proposes to revise the association framework and thus take full account of the association's purpose and objectives as defined in Part IV of the TFEU, of the political priorities that have emerged since 2001 as well as of the three central objectives of competitiveness, resilience and cooperation. This would allow closer cooperation on environment and climate issues, creating synergies and therefore increasing the environmental resilience of the OCTs with a positive impact on their social and economic development and on an increased competitiveness.

Policy option 3 would theoretically allow to provide a "tailor made" response to OCTs in the field of trade but would fail to set a comprehensive framework for a holistic partnership between the EU and all OCTs.

Efficiency

As mentioned above, the Commission has indicated its intention to propose the modernisation of the EU-OCT association. In that respect, policy option 1 does not seem to constitute the most appropriate decision. Indeed, option 1 is not addressing in an efficient manner the need to renovate the partnership between the OCTs and the EU since it would fail to take into consideration the ongoing liberalisation of international trade, the potential of OCTs as proponents of the EU's values or the ability to pinpoint areas of mutual interest and to give special attention to areas like the environment and regional integration.

Policy option 2 provides the most appropriate response to the commitment of the Commission to propose a modernised association framework between the EU and the OCTs. In addition, policy option 2 would set more flexible and lighter administrative requirements and procedures in the field of trade relations.

The efficiency of policy option 3 could be affected by the co-existence of two parallel frameworks of cooperation (trade relations under the EPA or FTA on the one hand and OAD for other areas on the other hand), as it would put additional administrative burden. Putting it into place would be a heavy and complex process for the OCTs, their Member States, the EU trade partner(s) and the EU alike. These drawbacks are likely to have a cost incidence on administrative expenditure for both the EU and the OCTs.

6.2. Weighing the policy options

Effects || Option 1 || Option 2 || Option 3

Global objectives of the OAD

OCTs' economic & social development || = || ++ || -

Close economic EU-OCT relations || = || ++ || -

Further the interests and prosperity of the inhabitants of the OCTs || = || ++ || -

OCT benefitting from the same trade treatment the Member States accord to each other || = || = || -

OCTs' environmental development || = || ++ || -

Specific objectives of partnership

Promotion of EU's values and standards in the wider world || - || ++ || -

Establishment of a more reciprocal relation based on mutual interests || - || ++ || -

OCTs' competitiveness || = || ++ || -

OCTs' resilience || = || ++ || -

OCTs' cooperation with other partners || = || + || ++

Integration of EU political agenda priorities || - || ++ || -

Taking into account changes in global trade patterns || - || ++ || +

Effects || Option 1 || Option 2 || Option 3

Policy Context

Alignment with developments in EU policies || - || ++ || +

Promotion of mutual interests & reciprocity || - || ++ || +

Facilitation of the EU-OCT dialogue || = || + || -

Adaptation to the particularities of the OCTs || - || + || +

Legislation

EU administrative burden || = || + || -

Conformity with TFEU || = || = || =

Coherence, Effectiveness & Efficiency

Coherence || = || + || +

Effectiveness || - || ++ || +

Efficiency || - || + || -

++ indicates a very positive response in relation with the objective(s) + denotes a moderate positive response in relation with the objective(s), - a negative one, and = a neutral or minor impact compared to the current situation.

(1) Coherence means possibilities to create synergies with other decisions and policy agendas, with the aim of achieving the agreed objectives and to avoid negative consequences and overlaps between different decisions and policies.

(2) Effectiveness means setting the right goals and objectives and making sure they are attained.

(3) Efficiency means providing the most appropriate decision for the defined purpose and to ensure that the resources allocated are administered in an efficient manner.

6.3. Preferred option

Based on the analysis and comparison of the different policy options, option 2 is the preferred option since it would best reflect:

(a) the shared ambition of the European Commission, the OCTs, their Member States and the EU to review and revise the EU-OCT association, and to establish a more reciprocal partnership, based on mutual interests and taking into account the various challenges OCTs face;

(b) the purpose and general objectives of the EU-OCT association as set out in Part Four of the TFEU on the EU’s relations with OCTs;

(c) the specific objectives of the next association framework defined in section 3.2 above.

Option 2 would thus lead to the modernisation and alignment of the OAD with the current EU policy framework. Subsequently, option 2 makes possible to better focus on the three pillars of sustainable development (economic, social and environmental) and to give more emphasis to the international political priorities, such as climate change, environment and energy, which emerged in the last ten years.

Concerning trade rules, option 2 would permit to continue to give OCTs duty free and quota free access to the EU market and at the same time (contrary to option 1) to introduce improved conditions under which OCTs would access the market (by revising the preferential rules of origin e.g. deletion of the requirement regarding the nationality of the crew manning vessels fishing outside territorial waters and the inclusion of new or clearer definitions of wholly obtained goods and minimal operations, lighter administrative requirements regarding evidence of direct transport of OCT goods between the OCTs' territory and the EU, new possibilities for cumulation, more flexible administrative procedures for granting derogations to the rules of origin with period of validity determined on a case by case basis, etc.). In addition, under option 2 it is proposed to revise the arrangements for trade in services and establishment and grant the OCTs the "Most Favoured Nation" (MFN) treatment, where they currently receive only basic third country treatment (i.e. GATS).

Concerning the financial assistance, option 2 suggests increasing the share of the regional allocation within the total financial allocation reserved for the OCTs under the 2014-2020 period. This would allow to financially supporting the efforts of the OCTs in addressing issues that emerged in the last decade, and are of common interest to all OCTs and the EU. In parallel, option 2 would serve the objective for an enhanced cooperation between OCTs and their neighbouring partners as well as the objective aiming at expanding the EU's sphere of influence via the OCTs and to promote EU's policy agenda as a global player.

7. Monitoring and evaluation

The Overseas Association Decision is the legislative act by which the Council sets the legal framework for the association of the OCTs with the EU. It is by nature a text defining the EU external relations with these countries and territories and as such, its implementation cannot be assessed through core indicators.

As far as the EU financed cooperation is concerned, the effectiveness of the association will be monitored through audits and evaluations. The detailed provisions for this monitoring will be laid down in a Commission regulation implementing the Council Decision. Input and output indicators will be defined in the framework of each programme relating to the EU financed cooperation that will be concluded between the Commission and each OCT. These evaluations will be in line with the provisions that will concern the implementation of the 11th EDF.

Annex 1 – List of references

Council Decisions and Conclusions

- Council Decision (2001/882/EC) of 27 November 2001 on the association of the OCTs with the European Community (OJ L 314 of 30 November 2001) as amended by Council Decision (2007/249/EC) of 19 March 2007 (OJ L 109 of 26 April 2007)

- Council Decision (2006/526/EC) of 17 July 2006 on relations between the European Community on the one hand, and Greenland and the Kingdom of Denmark on the other(OJ L 208 of 27 July 2006)

- Council conclusions 17801/09 of 22 December 2009 on the on the EU’s relations with Overseas Countries and Territories (OCTs)

Commission Documents (Communications, Green Papers, Working Documents)

- Commission Green Paper COM(2008) 383 of 25 June 2008on Future relations between the EU and the Overseas Countries and Territories .

- Commission Staff working document SEC(2008) 2067 of 25 June 2008 accompanying the green paper “Future relations between the EU and the Overseas Countries and Territories” COM (2008) 383

- Commission Communication COM(2009) 623 of 6 November 2009 on Elements for a new partnership between the EU and the OCTs

- Commission Communication COM(2010) 2020 of 3 March 2010 on Europe 2020: a Strategy for Smart, Sustainable and Inclusive Growth

- Commission Communication COM(2010)612 of 9 November 2010 on Trade, Growth and World Affairs: Trade Policy as a Core Component of the EU's 2020 Strategy

- Commission Communication COM(2011) 837 of 7 December 2011 on Preparation of the multiannual financial framework regarding the financing of EU cooperation for African, Caribbean and Pacific States and Overseas Countries and Territories for the 2014-2020 period (11th European Development Fund)

- Commission Staff working document SEC(2011) 1459 of 7 December 2011 on Preparation of the multiannual financial framework regarding the financing of EU cooperation for African, Caribbean and Pacific States and Overseas Countries and Territories for the 2014-2020 period (11th European Development Fund) and covering the subsequent implementing and financial regulations of the 11th European Development Fund (EDF)

- Commission Staff working document SEC(2011) 1484 of 7 December 2011 Accompanying the document [draft] Council Decision on relations between the European Union on the one hand, and Greenland and the Kingdom of Denmarkon the other and covering the subsequent implementing regulation of the Decision on relations between the European Union on the one hand, and Greenland and the Kingdom of Denmark on the other

Documents from other Stakeholders

- Joint Position Paper of the Governments of the Kingdom of Denmark, the French Republic, the Kingdom of the Netherlands and the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, and the Overseas Countries and Territories on the future relations between the Overseas Countries and Territories and the European Union, adopted at the Ministerial Conference of the Association of the Overseas Countries and Territories of the European Union, Nouméa, New Caledonia, 28 February 2011

- Message from La Réunion Island of July 2008: http://www.reunion2008.eu/pages/en/en-home.html

- Rio principles, Kyoto protocol: http://unfccc.int/2860.php

Studies

- BROOKS, P., STONEMAN, R. and RIOS, R. Enhancing Atlantic OCTs' Trade and Economic Activity (within their region and the European Union), EUROPEAID/11/9860/C/SV/multi - Lot N° 10, N° 2008/170783, February 2010

- BURKE, S.J., KIROSINGH, M., Overseas Countries and Territories Technical Assistance for the Mid Term Review (MTR) 2006, Final Report, Framework Contract Lot N° 4 – Sectoral and project evaluations – Specific Contract No 119860/C/SV/multi, 18 December 2006

- ECLAC, Review of CARIFORUM/EU EPA: Implications for the British and Dutch Caribbean OCTs, LC/CAR/M.176, 4 September 2008

- ECO Consult et al., Region Level Evaluation: Overseas Countries and Territories (OCT), Contract N° EVA 2007/geo-acp, draft Final Report, July 2011.

- HELLYER, M., CARICOM Single Market and Economy: Costs/Benefits Study, Final Report, June 2004

- KIRKPATRICK et al. (2011), A Trade Sustainability Impact Assessment Relating to the Negotiation of a Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) between the EU and Canada, Trade 10/B3/B06, Final Report, June 2011.

- LUFF, David et al., the Analysis of the Regional Economic Integration Processes (Caribbean, Pacific and Indian Ocean) and Recommendations Aiming at Enhancing Trade and Economic Activity of OCTs within their Region and with the EC, Framework Contract Beneficiaries– Lot 11, N° 2008/170791, February 2010

- SALMON Jean Michel, OCT Regional Integration Impact Study, Final Report, Framework Contract Beneficiaries - Lot 11 N°. 2006/123116, July 2007

- SPANNEUT, C., Analysis of the Statistical Systems in the OCTs and Recommendations Aiming at Enhancing Statistical Systems of OCTs, Framework Contract Beneficiaries – Lot 11, N° 2010/253401/1, Draft Final Report, September 2011.

- NIRAS PINSISI Consortium partners, OCTs Environmental profiles, Service contract 2006/12146, January 2007

Main report:

http://ec.europa.eu/development/icenter/repository/environmental_profile_main_report_en.pdf

Caribbean region:

http://ec.europa.eu/development/icenter/repository/environmental_profile_caribbean_en.pdf

Pacific region:

http://ec.europa.eu/development/icenter/repository/environmental_profile_pacific_en.pdf

North Atlantic region:

http://ec.europa.eu/development/icenter/repository/environmental_profile_north_atlantic_en.pdf

South Atlantic region:

http://ec.europa.eu/development/icenter/repository/environmental_profile_south_atlantic_en.pdf

Indian Ocean region:

http://ec.europa.eu/development/icenter/repository/environmental_profile_indian_ocean_en.pdf

- Study on the current actions and initiatives in the field of civil protection in the Caribbean in order to promote, enhance and reinforce the regional cooperation mechanisms (final report of May 2010)

Other Sources

- EU legislation concerning protection of nature and biodiversity:

http://europa.eu/legislation_summaries/environment/nature_and_biodiversity/index_en.htm

- EU legislation regarding climate change:

http://europa.eu/legislation_summaries/environment/tackling_climate_change/l28157_en.htm

- French initiative "Grenelle de l'Environnement" and consecutive legislative decisions concerning the French overseas entities (OCTs and outermost regions):

http://www.legrenelle-environnement.fr/

http://www.legrenelle-environnement.fr/spip.php?rubrique2

Annex 2 – Glossary

Ad Valorem Equivalent (AVE): Rate of tariff or tax on an item that equals the amount payable if it was taxed on the basis of its value.

African, Caribbean and Pacific States: The European Union and the African, Caribbean and Pacific countries (ACP countries) enjoy special relations that can be traced back to the Union's beginnings. These political, economic and social relations are to be found mainly in the field of development cooperation. The Cotonou Agreement signed in 2000, follows on from the previous conventions (Yaoundé, Lomé) and currently provides the general framework for relations between the Union and the 79 ACP countries. This framework is reinforced by regional and national components and supplemented by a financial component represented mainly by the European Development Fund.

Common External Tariff (CET): The Common External Tariff (CET) comprises the tariff duties that are levied on any goods that are imported into the European Union. As indicated by the name, these tariffs are common to all EU Member States

Europe 2020 Agenda: Europe 2020 is the EU's growth strategy for the coming decade. In a changing world, we want the EU to become a smart, sustainable and inclusive economy. These three mutually reinforcing priorities should help the EU and the Member States deliver high levels of employment, productivity and social cohesion. Concretely, the Union has set five ambitious objectives - on employment, innovation, education, social inclusion and climate/energy - to be reached by 2020. Each Member State has adopted its own national targets in each of these areas. Concrete actions at EU and national levels underpin the strategy.

Economic Partnership Agreements (EPAs): The Economic Partnership Agreements (EPAs) between the EU and African, Caribbean and Pacific group of countries are aimed at promoting trade between the two groupings – and through trade development, sustainable growth and poverty reduction. Since 2002, six regional groupings negotiate EPAs with the EU to replace Cotonou trade chapters. These EPA aim at reciprocal free trade, comprising of tariff and quota free market access, asymmetric gradual market opening of ACP markets for EU exports and simpler rules of origins. Only one full EPA has been concluded so far with Cariforum, interim EPA are thus in place with Southern African Development Community, East and Southern Africa and key trading partners in the Pacific

European Development Fund (EDF): Created in 1957 by the Treaty of Rome, and first launched in 1959, the European Development Fund is the main instrument for providing EU development aid in the African, Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) countries.

European Investment Bank (EIB): The European Investment Bank (EIB) is the European Union's financing institution. Its shareholders are the 27 Member States of the Union, which have jointly subscribed its capital. The EIB's Board of Governors is composed of the Finance Ministers of these States. The EIB's role is to provide long-term finance in support of investment projects.

European Regional Development Fund (ERDF): The ERDF is a financial instrument of the cohesion policy of the EU, aiming at strengthening economic and social cohesion in the European Union by correcting imbalances in its regions.

Free Trade Agreement (FTA): Free trade Agreements are non tariff and non barrier trade agreements whose rules are set out in the WTO, Article XXIV of the GATT and Article V of the GATS. The EU negotiates comprehensive, new generation FTAs (with WTO members) which include services, FDI, IPR, public procur