05 May 2019

Minister of International Affairs and Cooperation, Dr Unity Dow attended the ministerial meeting between the Africa Region and the European Union held in Mbabane, eSwatini on May 2 – 4.

A news release from the Ministry of International Affairs and Cooperation states that the purpose of the meeting was to allow for consultation between the African States within Africa, Caribbean and Pacific Group of States (ACP) and Mr Neven Mimica, the European Union (EU) Chief Negotiator and Commissioner for International Cooperation and Development, on the framework of the African Regional Protocol.

“The Protocol is expected to guide Africa-EU relations when the current Cotonou Agreement, which governs ACP-EU relations, expires in 2020.

Through the future partnership, the EU and ACP countries will seek closer political cooperation on the world stage. In this regard, the Africa Regional Protocol will be an integral part of the new legally binding, fair and balanced partnership Agreement,” states the release.

The release further states that Botswana fully subscribes to the idea of a strengthened ACP-EU partnership agreement, geared towards sustainable development, moving away from aid.

Furthermore, it subscribes to the position that Regional Protocols should augment and be considered as annexes to the main agreement and architecture of the ACP-EU relationship.

The minister was accompanied by senior officials. ENDS