Commonwealth bid to revitalise ACP-EU negotiations

The Commonwealth will throw its weight behind a new diplomatic offensive aimed at breathing new life into trade negotiations between Africa, Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) countries and the European Union (EU).

In response to requests from the ACP, the Commonwealth Secretariat will bring together Ministers representing the 6 regional ACP blocks negotiating current preferential trade arrangements in a two-day meeting, at the Commonwealth Secretariat, with key stakeholders on 1 and 2 November 2006.

Also participating will be Chief Negotiators from the ACP regions and the Co-President of the ACP-EU Joint Parliamentary Assembly.

Prior to their arrival in London, the ACP Ministers will visit Berlin for meetings with the German Minister for Development Cooperation and other officials. Germany takes over the EU Presidency in January 2007.

In London, ACP Ministers have invited UK’s Secretary of State for Trade and Industry Alistair Darling and the Secretary of State for International Development Hilary Benn to join the meeting on the second day.

The meetings are part of a comprehensive effort aimed at helping to overcome obstacles in the current ‘European Partnership Agreement’ trade negotiations by facilitating dialogue and increasing understanding of what is required for them to succeed.

Speaking ahead of the meeting, Deputy Secretary-General Ransford Smith said, “The Commonwealth has an exemplary track record in facilitating informal high level consultations between countries, regions and international organizations. We are helping to move ACP-EU negotiations forward so that ACP countries can achieve their full trade and development potential.”

The current trading arrangements under the ACP-EU Cotonou Agreement, which gives trade preference to ACP countries (covered by a WTO waiver) are set to expire at the end of 2007. New WTO compatible arrangements will have to be agreed by then. The EU and six ACP blocks are conducting negotiations towards reaching Economic Partnership Agreements. 39 Commonwealth members are ACP countries.

Key Links:

• Economics and Trade

Related News:

• ACP Secretariat
• European Union