Government justifies EPA agreements

The Ministers of Communication and economy recently gave a press conference in Yaoundé to justify the 'soundness' of the EPA agreements.

There is no doubt that the Government has made a "responsible and strategic choice" in ratifying the interim agreement towards an economic partnership between the European Community and its Member States on one hand, and the Central Africa on the other part.

Facing the press in Yaoundé recently, the Minister of Communication (Mincom), Issa Tchiroma Bakary and his counterpart, the minister of economy, planning and development (Minepat) Emmanuel Nganou Djoumessi, for nearly two hours, explained the "merits" of these agreements stressing on "the expected impact on the reduction of poverty, the strengthening of the local economic fabric and the recovery of trade balance is likely to be fundamentally positive."

"This agreement was not an obligation, but if we had not signed it, the consequences would be devastating for the country," because "the countries that have not ratified the agreements will be automatically reverted in the generalised system of preferences. This system, which is particularly not advantageous, is likely to lead to increased export charges and to make our products less competitive," says Mincom.

According to the Government, the option taken for the ratification of this agreement with EU does not contradict the commitment of Cameroon at the regional level, particularly in the context of the economic and Monetary Community of Central Africa (CEMAC). "Cameroon must preserve its vital interests without straying from its regional commitments," says Emmanuel Nganou Djoumessi while adding that this agreement will enable the country to preserve the access of its products on the European market.

This ratification shall be "perceived as a strategic approach reflecting the ambition of our country to conquer international market share, and above all, take advantage of the diversification of its economy for modernization and exploit at its maximum, preferential access for its export products on the European market, he stated in persona government.

This comes in as the aftermath of the adoption by Parliament of the controversial Bill allowing the leader of the Cameroonian State to ratify this interim agreement and at the time where various voices say that Cameroon has everything to lose, in the current state of its local industry.

"The risks inherent in the implementation of EPA with EU are perfectly known and absolutely controllable," says Issa Tchiroma Bakary, supported by his colleague Emmanuel Nganou Djoumessi, who points out that measures have been taken by the Government to accompany the implementation of this agreement.