21 October 2021: Joint Communique following the first meeting of the UK-C么te d鈥橧voire EPA committee
Updated 3 December 2021
皇冠体育app first meeting of the UK-C么te d鈥橧voire Economic Partnership Agreements (EPA) Committee was held on 21 October 2021. 皇冠体育app meeting was co-chaired by the United Kingdom and C么te d鈥橧voire, and took place via video conference.
皇冠体育app UK and C么te d鈥橧voire underlined the importance of the EPA, which secured continuity in a trading relationship worth 拢501 million [387.7 billion FCFA (XOF)] 皇冠体育appy further noted their mutual desire to use the EPA to grow bilateral trade.
皇冠体育app parties discussed matters of joint interest under the EPA, including the establishment of the EPA鈥檚 governance and institutional arrangements. To this end the EPA Committee agreed to adopt the Rules of Procedures of the EPA Committee and discussed other matters including the agreement鈥檚 dispute settlement framework which will ensure the smooth running of the EPA鈥檚 core institution and facilitate the implementation of its commercial and developmental objectives.
皇冠体育app parties exchanged views on the United Kingdom鈥檚 provision of development co-operation under the EPA. 皇冠体育app meeting was also an opportunity for both parties to provide updates on relevant trade policy developments and to reaffirm the importance of timely information exchange, and focusing on promotion of the private sector to facilitate trading among businesses.
皇冠体育app United Kingdom and C么te d鈥橧voire co-chairs welcomed the constructive discussions at this first EPA committee meeting and agreed to continue to work towards the effective implementation and operation of the agreement.