K.D. KNIGHT, minister of foreign affairs and foreign trade, has called on the European Union (EU) to give the voices of the African Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) group of countries equal weight to that of their EU counterparts.
"Although we are in different categories economically, as we move to make this partnership work, then the issues which are of importance to the ACP member states must be given due
consideration," he stated.
ISSUES
He was speaking at a press
conference held at his Dominica Drive office in Kingston on December 16, when he highlighted a number of issues that he addressed at the joint parliamentary assembly of the ACP/EU held at The Hague, Netherlands recently.
The Minister told journalists that, at the meeting, he had requested that negotiations for funding arrangements and
economic partnerships entail a development component, where ACP states could be assisted in capacity building to increase and improve their competitiveness in the wider global economy.
He also called for the
establishment of a natural disaster facility to assist with disaster
mitigation, rehabilitation and reconstruction. This, Mr. Knight said, was in light of the destruction wrought by Hurricane Ivan and the difficulties faced by ACP countries, generally in terms of earthquakes, volcanic eruptions and the recent locust plague in Africa.
"The facility that exists now is not easily accessible and does not deal adequately with the nature of disasters that face countries like ours," the minister noted.
Turning to the COTONOU Agreement, which is now being reviewed, Minister Knight said the revised agreement would reflect the worldwide fight against weapons of mass destruction.
The revision will also stipulate essential and fundamental principles and the consequences
of breaches of human rights, democracy, good governance and the fight against corruption.
SOLIDARITY
Minister Knight said the ACP countries, at the meeting, expressed solidarity in their
opposition to the EU's plan to cut the price for sugar and signalled that they would continue their
lobbying efforts at the level of civil society, through trade unions and the EU decision makers.
The ACP Council of Ministers has mandated the agriculture
ministers to meet with the European Agricultural Council in early 2005, "to discuss the issues as to the difficulties we face. We are asking for a lower cut in prices and an implementation period of eight years." Resolutions were passed on these matters and have been forwarded to the different bodies within the EU integration system.
Giving an update on the
ACP's visit to the troubled
African nation of Sudan, Minister Knight said that the group had
visited a refugee camp in the Darfur region, which housed 40,000 displaced persons, of which 20,000 were children 15 years and younger, 15,000
women and 5,000 men.
"The country needs a political solution, not intervention," the minister said, noting that rebel forces, militia and the
government would come together to sign a peace accord
by the end of December. Then,
the implementation of the various agreements and protocols for the sharing of power between the
north and south would take effect.
COMPLEX CONFLICT
He said the conflict in Sudan was a complex one, but noted that the ACP would continue to ensure dialogue within Sudan and with
the African Union for a speedy
resolution to the crisis. The EU is being asked to release funds for the development of the country.
