The Secretariat of the African, Caribbean and Pacific Group of States

 

Secretary-General of Africa, Caribbean and Pacific Sir John Kaputin believes that the Economic Partnership Agreements (EPA) will have long term negative effects on the economic, social, and political realms of ACP States and Regions if not properly implemented.

In a statement to the 12th Session of the ACP Parliamentary Assembly in Ljubljana, Slovenia on Friday, Sir John said EPAs should promote ACP countries development and effective integration in the world economy.

Sir John said many ACP Representatives and Parliamentarians have repeatedly stressed that they are willing to conclude EPA negotiations that should not make them worse off than under the current regime.

The Secretary-General revealed that negotiations of EPAs have been the most prominent pre-occupation of the ACP Group for the past seven years.

However, he said, as late as December 2007, on the eve of the expiry of the dead-line for the conclusion of EPAs, many ACP States and Regions still had serious reservations about whether EPAs would deliver the required structural transformation of their economies.

Sir John made reference to The Kigali Declaration which called for EPAs to be tools that promote sustainable development and aptly question whether the present focus of the EPA negotiations would truly lead to increased levels of production and supply capacity in ACP States - both necessary instruments to eradicate poverty and promote sustainable development.

So far only one ACP Region, the Caribbean, has been able to initialize a full EPA with the EU.

Many other ACP States and Regions have opted instead, to, initial interim agreements with the EU.

Sir John said still others might wish to undertake interim agreements as subgroups of EPA regional integration configurations.

"This is vindication, if ever one was needed of the issues that you have raised in this and other fora about the potential negative impact of EPAs," he said.

Sir John said in some regions, the incompatibilities between EPAs and the existing Regional Integration Agreements have contributed to the on-going difficulties in EPA negotiations.

"In this regard, he Motion for a resolution on 'Experiences from the European Regional Integration Process relevant to ACP Countries', states clearly that EPAs should support and promote existing ACP regional integration processes, and not lead to the disintegration of ACP regions," Sir John highlighted.

he cautioned that the fundamental changes to the ACP Group's external environment, the global re-alignments and the major shifts in EU policy orientations such as the EU's separate strategies for Africa, the Caribbean and the Pacific regions and South Africa, are the issues that the ACP Group need to follow very carefully.

"I am of the view that it is also important to analyse and discuss with our partner, the impact of the recently adopted Lisbon Treaty on the ACP Group and the ACP-EU Partnership," he said.

(Note: Treaty of Lisbon provides the EU with modern institutions and optimised working methods to tackle both efficiently today's challenges in today's world.  In a rapidly changing world, Europeans look to the EU to address issues such as globalisation, climatic and demographic changes, security and energy.  The Treaty of Lisbon will reinforce democracy in the EU and its capacity to promote the interests of its citizens on a day-to-day basis.)

According to Sir John, the JPA provides an ideal forum for open, frank and substantive discussions on this matter.

Meanwhile, the Secretary-General said "Increasingly, the Cotonou framework is utilised by our principle partner to promote and support EU polices and initiatives."

Sir John said to a certain extent this undermines the role and obligations of statutory organs of the Group, the spirit of the partnership and encourages unilateral action.

"Our Partnership is based on the principle of equality and mutual respect, and we must, at all cost, safeguard, and protect our dignity and self-reliance.

"Our Group has so much potential and we should never put ourselves in a position that any other party or entity can deconstruct the ACP Group," he said.

"We have to ask ourselves what impact EPAs, EU initiatives and the perceived downgrading of the preferential status of the Group by the EU will have on the ACP Group as an entity, its organizational structure, role and purpose, and invariably its future.  If ever before, the foundations of our existence - ACP unity and solidarity - are being challenged," Sir John said.

Parliamentarians from ACP countries are currently in Slovenia attending the JPA which starts on Monday.

FURTHER DETAILS CONTACT ROBERT IROGA, PRESS ATTACHE, ACP iroga@acp.int