Translation of "échange de partenaires " (French → English) :

A deep and comprehensive FTA should cover substantially all trade in goods and services between the EU and ENP partners including those products of particular importance for our partners and should include strong legally-binding provisions on trade and economic regulatory issues.

The principle is also consistent with the long-term vision of an economic community emerging between the EU and its ENP partners.[6] Regional economic integration is important to boost trade between partners and develop wider economic networks.

It should be supported through the Euro-Mediterranean Social Dialogue Forum which will facilitate exchange between the Mediterranean social partners on key employment and social issues and will support capacity building.

It will include the upgrading of contractual relations towards association agreements; the prospect of negotiations to put in place deep and comprehensive free trade areas with each country and greater support to meet the related requirements, leading to the establishment of a network of FTAs that can grow into a Neighbourhood Economic Community in the longer term; progressive visa liberalisation in a secure environment; deeper co operation to enhance the energy security of the partners and the EU; and support for economic and social policies designed to reduce disparities within each partner country and across borders. A new Compreh ...[+++]ensive Institution-Building (CIB) programme will be needed to improve the capacity of each partner to undertake the necessary reforms.

However, it is not Africa's only partner, and not its only source of finance, aid and trade - China, for example, has rapidly emerged as Africa's third most important trade partner, with total trade amounting to about € 43 billion in 2006 (up from € 30 billion in 2005) and with 23% of all Chinese oil imports now coming from Africa.

The EU has continued to enhance trade relations with most ENP partners including by supporting Ukraine’s WTO accession process and preparing for negotiation of a deep and comprehensive free trade agreement, preparing for the granting of autonomous trade preferences to Moldova and launching negotiations to extend free trade agreements with Mediterranean partners in terms of agricultural coverage and services.