EU-SA Trade Relations

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Following the 'Europe 2020' paper adopted by the European Commission on 3 March 2010, the European Commission is now launching a broad public consultation on the future direction of EU trade policy. The Commission's intention is to set out its policy during autumn 2010, explaining how trade policy can help achieve the objectives of the 'Europe 2020' Strategy. The purpose of this consultation is to gather views from relevant stakeholders regarding the rationale, scope and strategic objectives for a future EU trade policy. The consultation is open to all stakeholders within the EU and in third countries. The Commission services will prepare a report on the Consultation which will be published on DG TRADE's website. The closing date is 28 July 2010.
On-line questionnaire

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The Trade, Development and Co-operation Agreement (TDCA) has strengthened the trade relationships between the European Union and South Africa, consolidating SA as one of Europe's preferred trading partners through the establishment of a free trade area (Title II of the TDCA). For a useful summary of the text of the Agreement, visit:
http://europa.eu/scadplus/leg/en/lvb/r12201.htm

The implementation of the TDCA between South Africa and the European Union is overseen by the Joint Co-operation Council, which also acts as a forum for overall dialogue between the two parties, including trade-related aspects. Co-operation Council meetings are held annually. The first SA-EU Ministerial meeting following full entry into force of the TDCA and the enlargement of the EU was held on 23 November 2004 in Brussels. The The sixth Co-operation Council meeting took place in Brussels on 7 November, 2005; the seventh Joint Co-operation Council was held in Brussels on 14 November 2006. The 8th Co-operation Council was held in Pretoria on 9th October 2007; the 9th was held in Cape Town on 3-4 November 2008. The tenth was held in Brussels in July 2009 - EU-SA Joint Co-operation Council (Brussels, July 2009)

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In addition to the TDCA, separate agreements on wines and spirits were signed on 28 January 2002. These agreements - which are applied provisionally - provide for the reciprocal protection of wine and spirits names, and cover issues such as oenological practices and processes, and product specifications

Following the request by the SADC-EPA group, the EU Council of Ministers, meeting in Brussels on 12 February 2007, accepted to include South Africa in the negotiations for the conclusion of an EU-SADC Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA).

http://ec.europa.eu/trade/issues/bilateral/countries/southafrica/pr140207_en.htm