“The fisheries sector is crucial for many ACP countries in the Commonwealth. Therefore, we are delighted to bring together representatives of all the stakeholders to discuss problems and prospects,” - Dr Indrajit Coomaraswamy, Director, Economic Affairs Division, Commonwealth Secretariat
Brokering deals to promote sustainable fisheries
24 January 2007
Commonwealth-organised talks between ACP and EC in Brussels
A high-level meeting is taking place in Brussels, Belgium, to agree on a framework for a sustainable partnership in fisheries between the African, Caribbean and Pacific Group of States (ACP) and the European Commission.
The talks, organised by the Commonwealth Secretariat, are aimed at raising awareness on the Economic Partnership Agreements (EPAs) negotiations on fisheries and facilitating dialogue among interested parties on the issue.
Officials who have been meeting at the ACP Secretariat from 22 to 24 January 2007 are expected to outline technical assistance programmes and identify research topics that will benefit the fisheries trade.
“The fisheries sector is crucial for many ACP countries in the Commonwealth. Therefore, we are delighted to bring together representatives of all the stakeholders to discuss problems and prospects,” said Dr Indrajit Coomaraswamy, Director of the Commonwealth Secretariat’s Economic Affairs Division, which is overseeing the meeting.
“It is also encouraging that this meeting will result in a paper on fisheries which will be transmitted to ACP ministers for discussions with the European Commission.”
On 27 September 2002, the European Union and the ACP countries started negotiations on EPAs. These negotiations, which are to take place over five years, are aimed at redefining the trade regime between the two groups of countries.
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