No economic partnership agreements between EU and Burundi unless sanctions are lifted

In a press conference held this Tuesday 27 February 2018, Burundi First Deputy President says the government still maintains its decision not to sign the European Union economic partnership agreements.

Gaston Sindimwo: “Burundi will not sign partnership agreements with the UE unless its sanctions are removed”

Gaston Sindimwo says that after his return from the 19th summit of the EAC Heads of state that was held on 23rd February in Kampala, Uganda where he represented Pierre Nkurunziza, Burundi President.

He says Burundi cannot sign economic partnership agreements with the EU. “Burundi cannot sign partnership agreements with the European Union while the latter has applied penalties against the former,” he says.

Sindimwo says other countries of the East African Community can still sign these partnership agreements but states that they will not be successful unless Burundi signs. ‘The EU wants to sign economic partnership agreements with the EAC of which Burundi is a member,” he says adding that Burundi loses nothing by not signing.

The First Deputy President appeals to the EU to remove sanctions against Burundi so that they can work together.

Since 2016, the European Union has been negotiating economic partnership agreements with the East African Community, which are still a matter of discussion among EAC member states.