adminFrom Victoria Ruzvidzo in BRUSSELS, Belgium
The 98th session of the Africa, Caribbean and Pacific Council of Ministers meeting began here on Tuesday with calls for the body to adapt to the changing political and socio-economic dynamics if it is to become an effective global player.Zimbabwe is represented by ambassador to Belgium Dr Mary Margaret Muchada.
Addressing delegates at the opening ceremony, the council’s president Mr Tuilaepa Fatialofa Lupesoliai Sailele Malielegaoi challenged the ACP to remain up to speed with global developments.
Its major trading partner, the European Union, was going through a severe economic crisis that necessitated a review of strategy on the part of the ACP, he said.
“As we all know, Europe is still struggling with the unprecedented challenge occasioned by the global financial crisis and the accompanying subsequent economic recession that affected many of its members,” he said.
“There is also no denying the emergence of global shifts and redistribution of economic power and perhaps even the military might that are now taking place.”
It was thus critical that the organisation reforms and becomes a more effective global player, said Mr Malielegaoi.
ACP secretary general Mr Alhaji Muhammad Mumuni stressed the need for Europe to come out of recession, with its economy only managing a weak 0,5 percent growth.
“Only a strong Europe can be a partner of progress with the ACP,” he said.
“We, therefore, continue to urge Europe’s leaders to double their efforts in finding a way out of the current situation and to bring he world’s largest economic trading block back into the path of sustained growth.”
The ACP is a group of 79 countries spanning sub-Saharan Africa, the Caribbean and the Pacific Islands, working together to promote poverty eradication, sustainable economic development and the gradual integration of its member states into the world economic system.
The two-day meeting would deliberate on issues that include future prospects of the ACP-EU relations, trade and the economic partnership agreements, the post 2015 development agenda, private sector development strategy and migration issues.
In terms of the EPAs, under the East and Southern Africa grouping, only Mauritius, Seychelles, Madagascar and Zimbabwe have ratified the interim EPA with normal trade provisions while other countries within the region are yet to ratify. The EU has set October 2014 as the deadline by which the negotiations should have been finalised.
However, it appears most of the Africa, Caribbean and Pacific countries may not be ready then.
Online Reporter