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

Thursday 23 November 2006

The 12th ACP-EU Joint Parliamentary Assembly meeting ended at the Sherbourne Conference Centre, Bridgetown, Barbados, on Thursday 23 November 2006. Even though both sides left the Caribbean island with issues pending further deliberations, the JPA served a useful purpose in ensuring that issues such as the Economic Partnership Agreements (EPAs) and contentious political situations in ACP countries were frankly discussed.

As the signing of the EPAs, scheduled for the end of 2007, draws nearer, the ACP side gave indications that its six regions were not going to rush to sign simply for the sake of signing. In fact, many of the countries indicated that it was becoming increasingly difficult for them to stay committed to the deadlines. The ACP Group was adamant in its stand in spite of Mr. Peter MANDELSON’s plea, delivered through a DG Trade representative, urging the ACP countries to adhere to the timetable. The reality of the situation is that many ACP countries are committed to building regional blocks. The next is, therefore, to open up borders for reciprocal trade. The ACP States have consistently maintained, even before this meeting in Barbados, that they had not yet achieved acceptable degrees of regional integration.

The ACP side also maintained its well-known position that the EPAs should include a development dimension. The main components of this position, according to Dame Billie MILLER, Senior Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade of Barbados, were the adjustment of production structures, improving the competitiveness of economic operators, and shifting towards higher value goods and services. The ACP Group also called for a financial mechanism that could be accessed quickly to assist with the adjustment process, but which was separate and distinct from the normal EDF financial arrangements.

As regards the WTO, the ACP Group expressed hope for the resumption of talks. This would allow the member countries to better assess the current and future nature of the international trade environment. More importantly, this would afford ACP countries the opportunity to adequately prepare themselves for bilateral and regional negotiations.

Meanwhile, the JPA considered and adopted the Report on Small arms in Africa. This is a positive move on the ACP side especially since parliamentarians, during earlier preparatory meetings, have been debating possible moves to curb the proliferation of small arms into Africa from abroad. The ACP parliamentarians discussed the role of the African Union and general issues under the heading of Good Governance. Meanwhile, an urgent resolution on the situation in East Africa could not be tabled. This became apparent after a secret ballot was conducted in the JPA plenary.
Other important themes covered by the JPA, relating to the Committee on Economic Development, Finance, and Trade, were the EPAs, and the fight against poverty through the involvement of small farmers. The battle against poverty has been waged on many fronts. The decision to involve small farmers is consistent with strategies where there is a need to empower individuals to be self-reliant and independent. Discussions on this topic were enriched by presentations from the ACP-EU Technical Centre for Agricultural and Rural Cooperation (CTA) and COLEACP, two joint programmes that deal with the agricultural sector.

In line with the Committee on Social Affairs and the Environment, the JPA adopted the report on Water in Developing Countries after due consideration was given to the 13 amendments proposed. It was stressed that people, particularly children, were contracting diseases and dying needlessly because of the consumption of dirty and contaminated water. This was unacceptable for some ACP countries which have available water sources, but limited or inadequate infrastructure for water distribution. In other ACP countries, there is an absence of water due to insufficient rainfall and other circumstances linked to climate change.

The JPA meeting also included workshops. One workshop dealt with the challenges posed by the spread of HIV/AIDS. Following presentations and discussions, the Barbados authorities organized a visit to a clinic and a center that provide treatment and care for HIV positive patients.

Another workshop was held on the rum industry. Most of the countries of the Caribbean region depend on one or two commodities. The rum industry is both a flagship industry for the Caribbean economies and one of its identifying characteristics. Despite efforts by the industry to adapt to the evolving global market, it finds itself under threat from external forces beyond its control. The challenges to the rum industry demonstrated the difficulties faced by other commodities peculiar to the Caribbean region and the rest of the ACP countries. The ACP Group asked the European side to try to understand the dilemma and difficulties of ACP countries, especially in the context of the ongoing EPA negotiations. The ACP Group also called upon the European side to join in the fight to secure favorable market conditions for their commodities and industries.

The third workshop addressed environmental issues. The ACP Group reiterated the common call for the environment to be protected now and in the future. It was considered important that environmental protection be given top priority in the formulation of government policies in both in the ACP and European countries.

During the JPA meeting, the parliamentarians also had the opportunity to engage in a constructive exchange of views with the ACP Council of Ministers, represented by Dr. Onofre Rojas of the Dominican Republic, and the Finnish presidency of the EU, on crucial issues such as the 10th EDF and EPAs.