EU, other donors are equal partners — ACP
Published On May 27, 2015 » 1482 Views» By Administrator Times » Latest News, Stories
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By JAMES  MUYANWA –
in Brussels,
BELGIUM?THE African, Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) Group of States considers the European Union (EU) and other cooperating groups as equal partners.
The grouping, which celebrates 40 years of its existence, says it has become a global formidable force in development over the years.?Zambia is among the founding member States of the organisation which draws membership from three continents.
ACP assistant Secretary General Viwanou Gnassounou said here that ACP was a strong organisation which could not be push over by other cooperating partners.
The ACP’s voice could no longer be ignored because of its experience of many years.?He said this in the daily update to journalists representing six of the seven ACP regions who were covering the ACP ministers’ meetings here.
Mr Gnassounou said contrary to beliefs by some people that the ACP was bulldozed by the EU during various negotiations, the group determined its own future.
He said as a result of its focused approach to development the ACP had negotiated a lot of facilities for member countries that were mainly financed by the EU.
He cited the European Development Fund (EDF) which was effectively negotiated for by the ACP on behalf of the member countries.
Early this year, the European Commission announced the full entry into force of the €30.5billion 11th EDF.
The EDF is a cornerstone of the EU’s international cooperation and development policy that concretely implemented the long-standing partnership with African, Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) countries under the ACP-EU Cotonou Agreement.
The EDF covers cooperation with the Overseas Countries and Territories (OCTs) as laid down in the Overseas Association Decision.?Under the arrangement, the €30.5 billion will be used to finance EU development cooperation projects until 2020 to assist partner countries’ own efforts in poverty eradication.
These funds come from EU Member States and will be managed by the European Commission to target the people most in need and to finance different sectors such as health and education, infrastructure, environment, energy, food and nutrition.
Mr Mr Gnassounou, however, said because of the seemingly lack of “visibility” for ACP citizens in the group’s member countries did not fully appreciate its existence and work.
There was, therefore, need to link development projects under such arrangements like the EDF to the ACP and this could be done with the help of member governments.

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