The document discusses the EU Raw Materials Initiative and ongoing EPA negotiations between the EU and Africa. It notes the EU's strategy to secure access to critical raw materials involves trade agreements, while African countries want policy space for industrial development. Potential responses discussed are keeping negotiations at the WTO, excluding certain exports from EPAs, and allowing temporary export restrictions for development needs. It also outlines upcoming meetings that could provide opportunities to move the EPA discussions forward.

4. PART I The Raw Materials Initiative: What’s at stake?

5. Main concerns

6. EU – race for RM due to increasing DD from emerging countries Africa –for too long exporters of RM, need to keep policy space for industrial devt, growth and job creation EU’s RMI is part of a broader strategy (Global Europe, 2006) to improve the competitiveness of industries given the rise of large emerging countries

7. EU Response Strategy

11. What is critical for Europe?

16. What implications for Africa?

20. Possible policy responses

23. Part II: EPA Negotiations

26. Strategic Considerations

28. Options

31. For more information, please refer to: www.acp-eu-trade.org www.ecdpm.org Isabelle Ramdoo, [email_address] San BILAL, [email_address] Tel. +32-2-237 43 89 Fax +31-43-237 43 19 ECDPM O.L. Vrouweplein, 21 NL – 6211 HE Maastricht The Netherlands Rue Archimède, 5 B- 1000 Brussels Belgium