For the past ten years, the European Union has been negotiating trade deals with African, Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) countries known as Economic Partnership Agreements (EPAs).
Many African governments have been critical of the negotiations, expressing concerns that the agreements do more to benefit European economic interests than their own. With numerous controversial issues yet to be addressed, most have resisted signing up. However, the European Commission is now presenting an ultimatum to force these agreements through. Please e-mail David Martin, the MEP responsible for preparing the Parliament's response, and call on him to reject the Commission's proposal.