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EU Commissioners Michel and Mandelson support greater role for ACP economic and social interest groups

At the 24th meeting of ACP-EU Economic and Social Interest Groups, which took place at the headquarters of the European Economic and Social Committee on 28-30 June 2005, Louis Michel, Commissioner for Development and Humanitarian Aid, and Peter Mandelson, Commissioner for Trade, launched strong calls in favour of greater involvement of ACP economic and social interest groups in the development and trade policies of their countries.

"I am committed towards making social partners privileged partners in development cooperation", stated Mr Michel, while Mr Mandelson called for "…institutionalising dialogue with civil society on the Economic Partnership Agreements" via, for example, the creation of Regional Social Dialogue Committees composed of representatives of socio-professional organisations, which could explore the economic, social and regional impact of the proposed new trade agreements.

The statements of the two Commissioners were reflected in the Final Declaration of the meeting, adopted on 30 June. The Declaration, which will be transmitted to European, ACP and international organisations, addressed the involvement of non-state actors in the implementation of the Cotonou Agreement, the negotiations on the Economic Partnership Agreements and regional integration and sustainable development. Delegates stressed the following:

Implementation of the Cotonou Agreement by non-state actors

• The importance of institution-building or structuring of non-state actors;
  
• The necessity for more information on the Cotonou Agreement;
  
• The limited consultation to date;
  
• The fundamental need to increase the capacity of non-state actors, particularly economic and social actors, through enhanced access to funding and reinforced dialogue among actors.

Negotiations on the Economic Partnership Agreements (EPA)

• The negotiations are welcome, under certain conditions, particularly of a social nature;
  
• Economic and social interest groups must be regularly informed and consulted at all stages of the negotiations of the EPAs;
  
• Trade liberalisation should not be an end in itself, but must foster development, the establishment of regional markets and must also contribute to poverty eradication.

Priority issues for regional integration and sustainable development:

• The promotion of sustainable rural development;
  
• The opportunities of sustainable tourism;
  
• The threats of global climate change;
  
• The necessity for the sustainable use of natural resources;
  
• The challenge of HIV/AIDS, malaria and tuberculosis;
  
• The importance of education and human resource development;
  
• The promotion of gender equality.

See also:
Louis Michel, Commissaire européen pour le développement et l'Aide humanitaire, «Le futur de la politique de développement de l'Union européenne», 24ème rencontre des milieux économiques et sociaux ACP-EU, Bruxelles, 30 juin 2005

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• EU and ACP countries sign revised Cotonou Agreement  (24/6/2005)
• Commissioners Michel and Mandelson to attend EU-ACP Joint Parliamentary Assembly in Mali (18/4/2005)
• Conclusions of the EU-ACP Negotiations on the Revision of the Cotonou Agreement (24/2/2005)