Enhanced trade and deeper regional integration are essential contributions to development, economic growth and employment, and ultimately the eradication of poverty. Further efforts shall be made in particular to enhance the African integration agendas, both at the regional and Pan-African levels, and to strengthen African capacities to meet rules, standards and quality requirements which are essential to enable effective access to regional and international markets.

Africa has adopted socio-economic and political integration as a key development strategy. The EU has undergone a successful process of integration and can usefully share its experience with Africa.

The EU and Africa are determined to remove all obstacles to market access. Capacity building initiatives in this area will focus, in particular, on sanitary and phyto-sanitary measures. Regional Economic Communities (RECs) in Africa are key actors to facilitate these harmonization and capacity enhancement processes.

• 2nd Action Plan 2011-2013