Ethiopia's Prime Minister Meles Zenawi met with EU Trade Commissioner Peter Mandelson on Tuesday last week in order to tackle the position of the African nation in terms of global enterprise policies. Moreover, the two officials held the meeting in order to discuss the concerns of Ethiopia concerning the ongoing EPA (Economic Partnership Agreement) negotiations, which is held by the European Union with the African, Pacific, and Caribbean nations. According to reports, the European group, which was headed by European Commission President Manuel Barroso, came last September 30 to Addis Ababa for a conference with their counterparts from African Union. The African group, which was headed by Au chief Alpha Omar Konare, also included Elisabeth Tankeu, the current AU commissioner for Trade and Industry.

Although the meeting between the European and African delegates was the third of its kind, it was the very first time that the European Commission attended a conference outside Europe. Aside from Mr. Barroso, Mr. Mandelson, and chief of Development and Humanitarian Aid Louis Michel also participated in the assembly. It must be noted that the European Union has consented to give 55 million euros to the African Union in order to help fund some of its most important infrastructure projects. Meanwhile, Mr. Meles took the opportunity to discuss several global trade issues during the visit of EU's top officials. The prime minister met with several commissioners, most especially Mr. Mandelson. Both chief Economic Advisor Neway Gebreab and Trade and Industry Minister Girma Birru also joined the meeting with the EU trade chief.

During the meeting, Ethiopian officials raised their concerns regarding global trade barriers, as well as sanitary and phytosanitary problems. It must be noted that African negotiators have been concerned that the EPA talks was only aimed at the reciprocal reduction of tariffs that is regarded to be beneficial to the EU. Currently, Europe serves as among the biggest enterprises for Ethiopian products such as oil seeds, pulses, sugar, coffee, and flowers. According to reports, Europe purchased goods amounting to $371.8 million in 2005. Meanwhile, Asia ranked as the largest buyer of Ethiopian goods due to China's high demand on sesame seeds. Needless to say, the global trade balance between Ethiopia and Europe favored the latter, which is literally expected to reach its greatest potential. According to reports, Ethiopia purchased $369.5 billion worth of European goods. That amount exceeded the value of its exports which was $210.2 million.