ACP group to meet EU on EPA

  1. Posted on Saturday 4 October 2008 - 11:00
    Dolphyne
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    Joseph Appiah-Dolphyne, AfricaNews editor in Accra, Ghana
    The Heads of States and Governments of the ACP Group have resolved to engage in high-level consultations on the Economic Partnership Agreements (EPA's) with a number of EU states. This is to make it more inclusive to foster regional integration. The decision was reached at the Group's summit in Accra.
    ACP Group
    This formed part of a three-point decision taken at their two-day meeting in Accra. They directed the President of the Council and Secretary-General of the Group to explore by the end this month, modalities for conducting the high-level engagement with key stakeholders in the EU.

    The Leaders also instructed the Council of Ministers to work on the creation of an ACP Free Trade Area (FTA).

    President John Kufuor of Ghana said they wanted the Agreements to reflect a strategic partnership that would be a win-win for all and not one of continued dependence on Europe.

    He said the Summit held on the theme: "Promoting Human Security and Development" took short and long term views of the current global challenges including climate change, soaring crude oil and food prices.

    The deliberations, he noted, were going to significantly contribute to shaping the destiny of the globe.

    Kufuor underscored the need for member countries of the Group to continue to interact and maintain their close relations and contacts.

    About 2,000 delegates including Heads of States and Governments of the 79-member nation Group attended the Accra Summit.It came off at a critical time when there is turbulence on the global financial market.

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