The European Union and six countries of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) today signed an Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA), the first of its kind between the EU and an African region pursuing economic integration. The signature took place in Kasane, Botswana. The Economic Partnership Agreement with Botswana, Lesotho, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa and Swaziland – i.e. the so-called "SADC EPA group" – is a development-oriented free trade agreement. In addition to this agreement, other regional agreements could also soon be signed with West Africa and the East African Community. At the signature ceremony in Botswana today, Commissioner Malmström gave a speech on the benefits of the agreement, which is available here. More information is available in the press release.
