Background note on the 'toolbox'

This Commission background note sets out how the EU proposes to support regional integration amongst ACP countries and promote a differentiated approach to the creation of free-trade areas based on each region's needs. The Commission sees five dimensions to regional economic integration in ACP countries: trade in goods; trade in services; trade-related areas; enforcement mechanisms; and regional co-operation in a wider sense. The note then goes on to elaborate on the European Commission's view of the issues to be addressed in each of these areas. Comment: In its approach to regional integration the European Commission as a regional organisation itself focuses largely on the creation of regional structures. It almost entirely neglects the development of national capacity to effectively relate to and control, at the policy level, the work of regional structures. This is a major weakness in the EU's approach since it tends to foster regional organisations which float free from national control. This can lead to agreements being concluded, which are left largely un-implemented since there is no strong national commitment to their implementation. This is a direct consequence of there being no strong national input into their formulation.This Commission background note sets out how the EU proposes to support..