ACP urged to move with the times

From Victoria Ruzvidzo in BRUSSELS, Belgium
THE 98th session of the Africa, Caribbean and Pacific Council of Ministers meeting began in Brussels 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 its ambassador to Belgium, Ambassador Dr Mary Margaret Muchada. Addressing delegates at the opening ceremony, the council’s president 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.

“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.

“There is also no denying the emergence of global shifts and redistribution of economic power and perhaps even military might that are now taking place,” he said.

It was thus critical that the organisation reforms and becomes a more effective global player. ACP secretary-general His Excellency Alhaji Muhammad Mumuni, stressed the need for Europe to come out of recession.

Its economy only managed a weak 0,5 percent growth.
“Only a strong Europe can be a partner of progress with the ACP. We, therefore, continue to urge Europe’s leaders to double their efforts in finding a way out of the current situation and to bring the world’s largest economic trading bloc back into the path of sustained growth,” he said.

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 will 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, most of the ACP countries may not be ready then.

“There is no doubt that we are keen to reach agreement with the EU on all the outstanding issues. But we would also like to see flexible accommodation from both sides to address and meet the respective interests of the ACP and the EU in equal measure,” said Malielegaoi, who is also the Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade of Samoa in the Pacific Islands.