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

PRESS RELEASE

Brussels, 4 September 2006

Rev:AM

 

The President of the Republic of Togo, H.E. Mr. Faure Gnassingbé, met with ACP Ambassadors at a special meeting in Brussels this afternoon to reiterate his country’s gratitude to the ACP Group for its unfailing support during difficult times, and to brief them on the reforms it has embarked upon over a year now, especially the effective implementation of the 22 undertakings agreed with the European Union.  

“A man of action, with strong convictions and a firm belief in dialogue”, were the words used by the ACP Secretary-General, Sir John KAPUTIN, to describe President Faure Gnassingbé during the latter’s first call on the Committee of Ambassadors, at ACP House, since his election to the office of President in April 2005.  

The meeting was an opportunity for the Togolese President to thank the Committee of Ambassadors for its support and advice”, which played a decisive role in the settlement of the Togolese crisis. In addressing the Ambassadors, he added that ”The situation in Togo would not have had a positive outcome had it not been for the foundation you laid at the right time through your particularly effective assistance“. The President commended the “rescue” efforts by the Committee of Ambassadors, especially to ensure the normalization of relations between Togo and the European Union. He also gave an account of the situation in the country and the reforms embarked upon to ensure the implementation of the 22 undertakings.  

The ACP Ambassadors, through Chairman René Makongo, hailed the positive developments in the situation in Togo and paid tribute to the efforts made by President Faure Gnassingbé in that regard. Mr. Makongo assured the Togolese President of the ACP Group’s desire to lend more support to Togo in its pursuit of sustainable national reconciliation. The ACP Group, he added, which has always placed solidarity at the centre of its collective action, intends to support Togo in its efforts to ensure rapid normalization of its cooperation ties with the European Union.