Namibia adopts negotiating mandate of ACP-EU Cotonou partnership agreement

WINDHOEK, 20 JUN  – Namibia, along with other members of the African, Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) group countries, has adopted the ACP Negotiating mandate for the Post-Cotonou Partnership Agreement with the EU.
The adoption took place earlier this month at the 107th Session of ACP Council of Ministers and joint 43rd Session of the ACP- European Union (EU) in Lomé, Togo.
This was revealed by Industrialisation, Trade and SME Development Minister, Tjekero Tweya, in a parliamentary statement issued on Wednesday.
He explained the adoption paves the way for the sustainable future of the ACP Group based on the principles of strength, unity and solidarity.
For Namibia, such alliance is of strategic importance, especially in terms of potential benefits that could accrue under the ACP for countries classified as middle-income countries, he said.
The minister stressed: “Since the ACP Group has a high number of such countries, it is recognised that they still need cushioning in terms of development assistance. In addition, the ACP Group advocates equal partnership in development efforts for their countries – a departure from traditional development aid.”
The official launch of the negotiations for the commencement of negotiations for the Post-Cotonou Agreement with the EU was held on Tuesday in Brussels, Belgium, where the ACP Secretariat is based.
Tweya pointed out that the engagements with the EU have positive directions, moving away from unilateralism to a partnership approach, which is a matter always advocated by ACP countries.
“There is a more focused consideration of the special needs of middle income countries, and the adjustment of the European External Fund to fund more projects of developmental nature in ACP countries is indeed a positive move,” he continued.
The fundamental principles of the Cotonou Agreement include equality of partners, global participation, dialogue and regionalisation.
The Agreement entered into force in April 2003 and has been revised in 2005 and 2010 in accordance with the revision clause to re-examine the Agreement every five years.
The current Cotonou Agreement governing the EU-ACP relations will expire in 2020.
NAMPA