02 Jun 2016

The African Caribbean Pacific-European union (ACP-EU) Cotonou agreement was the topical issue during the ACP 8th summit discussions in Port Moresby –New Guinea.

The partnership agreement which expires in 2020 has been the framework for EU’s relations with 79 countries from Africa, the Caribbean and the Pacific (ACP).  

This year’s summit task therefore was to re-define the group’s core principles, and align its objectives and perhaps arch a new framework, hence the theme, Repositioning the ACP Group to Respond to the Challenges of Sustainable Development.

In his remarks, Zimbabwe President Mr Robert Mugabe said the EU had embarked on fundamental transformation to strengthen its position as a global player and had shifted its strategic interests to focus on its immediate neighbours in Eastern Europe and the Mediterranean hence the ACP had to respond to the dynamics as the partnership nears its end.

Mr Mugabe said ACP should concentrate its resources and efforts on clearly defined parameters and domains for sustainable development. The Zimbabwean President cautioned ACP to avoid duplicating activities that were being carried out by other regional and international organisations which the groups countries are already party to.

“Focusing on trade, investment, industrialization, development co-operation, science and technology, and research and innovation would help ACP to capitalise on its numerical strength and geographical spread, in promoting equitable and sustainable development for the benefit of our people,” he said.

He said the fight to eradicate poverty remains protracted, daunting and demands that ACP should marshal its actions towards the promotion of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG, s) and Agenda 2030. Ends