EPA COLLEGE OF LEAD AND ALTERNATE LEAD NEGOTIATORS

The simultaneous negotiation of several trade issues as part of one international trade agreement, such as the CARIFORUM Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA), is a complex process. Successful conclusion of the exercise requires not only administrative coordination but technocratic/thematic synchronization to ensure that per issue, the terms negotiated are complementary and are consistent with the overall negotiation mandate.  Such undertakings are facilitated through a College of Negotiators.
A College may be required for each negotiating arena. For the EPA negotiations, an EPA College of Lead and Alternate Lead Negotiators was established and comprised of individuals with expertise in the various negotiating subjects and trade-related disciplines. Led by the Dean of the EPA College, who was the EPA Principal Negotiator, Ambassador Dr. Richard Bernal, the College was directed by mandates approved by the CARIFORUM Heads of Government, and was supervised by trade ministers. The execution of the College’s technical responsibilities was informed by technical advice from the CRNM.