Latest update November 24th, 2024 1:00 AM
Latest News
- Windfall taxes do not violate petroleum contract – T&T Energy Expert
- All oil projects in Guyana performing above expectation in the world’s premier deepwater zone- Exxon CEO tells shareholders
- More than 100 Palestinians killed in Israeli attacks on Gaza in 48 hours
- GECOM to continue discussions on introducing biometrics before engaging stakeholders
- Corentyne fire that killed mother and four children maliciously set – GFS
Foreign Affairs Minister says…Accra Declaration vindicates Guyana’s position on EPA
Minister of Foreign Affairs, Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett, says that the Administration is pleased with the outcome of the summit of African Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) countries, held in Accra, Ghana, and is hopeful that the decisions taken with respect to the next steps will be vigorously pursued.
The minister told this newspaper that the sections on EPA in the Accra Declaration reiterated what Guyana, and in particular President Bharrat Jagdeo, was saying all along. “As such, it demonstrates that many other countries have the same issues with the EPA as is the case for Guyana.”
Foreign Affairs Minister, Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett
Following the summit, the ACP issued a statement wherein it read: We, the Heads of State and Government of the Africa, Caribbean and Pacific Group of States (ACP); Meeting at our Sixth Summit in Accra, Ghana from 2-3 October, 2008; Having considered the negotiations and the process of the Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) between our States and the European Union; Concerned that the process has split the group into countries that have initialled interim or full EPAs and those that have not initialled any agreement, while most have expressed concerns about the process and content of the EPA; Concerned about the undue pressure that is being put on some ACP countries to move forward to signing and ratification of interim or final EPA before legitimate concerns have been adequately addressed in a way that creates conditions for all ACP countries to become part of agreements that genuinely
contribute to growth, development and the advancement of regional integration; Determined to safeguard and further enhance our unity and solidarity; Desirous of ensuring that the EPA are inclusive, foster regional integration and provide tangible development benefits for our peoples; and stressing that in order to smooth the process for finalization of the EPA negotiations, the European Commission and its Member State must take account of the interests and concerns of ALL our States.
The group of countries decided that; ACP Heads of State and Government, represented by the Presidents of the Africa Union, CARIFORUM and Pacific ACP Summits, and headed by the President of the ACP Summit, must engage in high level consultations on the EPAs with a number of EU Member States; To instruct the President of Council and the Secretary-General to explore, by the end of October 2008, modalities for conducting this high level engagement with key stakeholders in the European Union; and to instruct the Council of Ministers to pursue the consideration of the creation of an ACP Free Trade Area (FTA)
As it relates to the prospects of a further delay in the signing of the EPA between the EU and CARIFORUM, Minister Rodrigues-Burkett noted that by now the CARIFORUM countries were aware of the contents of the Accra Resolution but the decision to delay the signing will have to be taken by the respective CARIFORUM Heads.
Similar Articles
THE BLUNT OF THE DAY
Sports
Features/Columnists
Jagdeo’s idea of transparency
…Peeping Tom kaieteur News- Transparency, as conceived by Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo, seems to be a peculiar exercise... more
Rising Gun Crimes in the Caribbean: Urgent Action required by all
By Sir Ronald Sanders Kaieteur News – There is an alarming surge in gun-related violence, particularly among younger... more
Weekend Cartoon
