EC/Central Africa stepping stone Economic Partnership Agreement

PURPOSE: the conclusion of the interim agreement with a view to an Economic Partnership Agreement between the European Community and its Member States, of the one part, and the Central Africa Party, of the other part

PROPOSED ACT: Council Decision.

BACKGROUND: the Council has by its Decision 2009/152/EC decided on the signature of the interim agreement with a view to an Economic Partnership Agreement between the European Community and its Member States, of the one part, and the Central Africa Party, of the other part ("the interim agreement"). The interim agreement was signed on 15 January 2009.

It is now appropriate to conclude the agreement on behalf of the European Union.

IMPACT ASSESSMENT: no impact assessment was undertaken.

LEGAL BASIS: Articles 207 and 211, in conjunction with point (a) of Article 218(6), of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union (TFEU).

CONTENT: the purpose of this proposal for a decision is to approve on behalf of the Union, the stepping stone Economic partnership Agreement between the European Community and its Members States, of the one part, and Central Africa, of the other part.

The text of the “stepping stone agreement” was published in the Official Journal of the European Union, with the decision in regard to its signature. For further information regarding the content of the agreement, please refer to the summary dated 10/07/2008.

BUDGETARY IMPACT: the proposal has no impact on the EU’s budget.