The EPA-Negotiations: A Channel for Norm Export and Import?

Abstract

AbstractThis chapter offers an understanding of the asymmetrical relations inherent in the Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) negotiations in terms of European Union (EU), represented by the European Commission, as a norm exporter and the African, Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) countries as norm importers using EU negotiations with African regional groupings as empirical illustrations. The analysis is informed by the norm diffusion literature, insights from negotiation theory, and draws on the body of literature on EU as a normative power. The analysis of the EPA-negotiations demonstrates how various African regional groupings have utilised a variety of tactics to delay the negotiations such as averseness, foot dragging, and strategies of procrastination to resist the adoption of the EU exported norms. The main reasons for the African regional blocs’ resistance are that the EPAs are not seen as benefiting African economic development, and as time has passed the EPAs are not in tune with global economic changes and the increased weight of the emerging economies that challenge the EU as a major norm exporter and trading partner in Africa. By zooming in on the recipients of norms, the analysis sheds light on the critical agency of the norm-taker and the negotiation strategies expressed by African countries resisting EU norms and standards, and refusing or being reluctant to move towards interim EPAs, comprehensive EPAs or full EPAs.KeywordsNorm diffusionNegotiationsEconomic Partnership Agreement (EPA)Normative powerEuropean UnionAfrican Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) countries