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On 28-29 May, ministers from the EU and the African, Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) states met in Brussels to discuss issues related to their continued economic cooperation, such as the ongoing wrangle over the Economic Partnership Agreement (EPAs) and the effects of the global economic and financial crisis on ACP states. Strong concerns were raised about potential derailment of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) due to the crisis.
The Joint EU-ACP Council issued a Resolution on the economic and financial crisis which "stresses the need for a global and concerted approach to tackle the crisis and for continued strong solidarity between the European Union and ACP countries." It supported reform of the international financial architecture but emphasised that developing countries should be given greater representation in the international institutions such as the G20. It further called for an "effective and flexible allocation" of the new resources decided by the G20 so that access to them is equally available to all countries, particularly those worst affected by the crisis. The Resolution specifically highlighted the critical importance of EU countries achieving ODA targets by 2010 and 2015, of supporting ACP countries in their efforts to meet the MDGs through combating tax evasion and capital flight, and of investment in productive, job-creating sectors. The ministers also addressed the ongoing controversial issue of the Economic Partnership Agreements (EPAs) between the two blocs. Only the Caribbean states have signed a full EPA with the EU, and it was agreed that this agreement would continue, but negotiations with other ACP states have stalled following serious disagreements. No progress was made on this issue but both sides agreed to "remain flexible". Finally, the Council adopted a Joint Declaration on climate change, which it is feared may threaten the achievement of the MDGs. It affirmed the states' collective commitment to a successful outcome of the UN negotiations for a new framework for combating climate change after 2012. Read the ACP-EU Joint Resolution on the economic and financial crisis at: http://www.consilium.europa.eu/uedocs/cms_data/docs/pressdata/en/gena/108175.pdf Read the Joint ACP-EU Declaration on Climate change and Development at:
http://www.consilium.europa.eu/uedocs/cms_Data/docs/pressdata/en/gena/108173.pdf Sources:
| Other articles in Eurostep Weekly 554, 2 June 2009: |
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