Some EU Member States Yet To Ratify Cotonou Agreement

The Cotonou Agreement has not been able to produce its effects since it has not been ratified by all the European Member states, although the ACP side has attained the requisite number of ratifications says the ACP Secretary –General, Jean – Robert Goulongana.

Speaking at the 3rd Summit of ACP Heads of State and Government meeting in Denarau, Nadi, Mr Goulongana said as a consequence it is still not possible to utilize the financial resources provided to accompany the development efforts of the ACP states.

“I am therefore seizing this opportunity to emphasize once again the ACP Group’s concern for the European side to ratify the Agreement as a matter of urgency,” he said.

However, on the achievements made so far by the ACP group, Mr Goulongana said that significant progress has been made.

“I would particularly like to mention the success the Group achieved at the Fourth Ministerial Conference of the World Trade Organisation last November.

“By virtue of its unity and solidarity, the Group obtained a hard-won derogation for the Cotonou Agreement and the integration of many of its concerns into the work programme adopted by the Conference,” Mr Goulongana said.

Another achievement that Mr Goulongana mentioned was the opening of the Group’s Permanent Representation this year in Geneva, which he said has contributed to the establishment of a more effective coordination of ACP representatives.

“This effective coordination is indispensable for a successful participation in the multilateral trade negotiations within the WTO,” he said.

In assessing these achievements, Mr Goulongana asked whether the ACP Group would intend to remain a mere pressure group with the EU or become a real international organization endowed with the necessary resources to meet, the new demands of the international scene.