/ Source: The Associated Press
The European Union has signed a temporary trade pact with Mauritius, Seychelles, Zimbabwe and Madagascar calling for tariffs on European goods would be removed over the next 15 years.
The four countries in southeast Africa have had full access to the EU consumer market — the world's biggest — since the start of 2008 for most goods. Trade barriers for rice and sugar, however, are being removed gradually.
The new deal excludes trade on agricultural products such as milk, meat, vegetables, textiles, footwear and clothing.
The EU said Zambia and Comoros have indicated they will sign the EU pact at a later date.
Djibouti, Ethiopia, Eritrea, Malawi and Sudan, which have been negotiating a regional trade pact, may also join the EU accord.
