27 May 2018

Minister of International Affairs and Cooperation, Mr Vincent Seretse is in Lome, Togo, to attend the 107^th session of the African, Caribbean and Pacific Group of States (ACP) Council of Ministers.

A press release from the ministry states that the meeting, which started yesterday and ends on May 30, is held under the theme: Supporting the economic and social transformation of ACP states at regional, continental and global level.

 The release says ministers are expected to exchange views on the ACP negotiation mandate for the post 2020 Cotonou negotiations with the EU.

It says the ACP/EU negotiations are expected to define the future relations of the ACP with the EU when the Cotonou Agreement expires on February 29, 2020.

Furthermore, the release says minister Seretse will also attend the 43^rd session of the ACP-European Union (ACP-EU) Joint Council of Ministers Meeting to be held from May 31 to June 1.

The meeting will serve as a platform for preliminary negotiations between the ACP and EU countries on future cooperation.

From Togo, the release says, Minister Seretse will proceed to Copenhagen, Denmark, to attend the 17^th session of the Africa-Nordic Ministerial Forum at the invitation of the foreign minister of Denmark, Mr Anders Samuelsen, from June 6-8.

The meeting will also deliberate on the theme for this year: Building strong societies in a globalised world.

The ministers will further exchange views on global issues of common interest such as peace and security, trade and investment as well as youth and migration issues. Minister Seretse is expected back on June 9. ENDS