-President Granger says Cotonou successor must boost ACP economies

AMBASSADOR of the European Union (EU) to Guyana, Jernej Videti?, has said it is only fitting that Guyana takes the lead in the upcoming negotiations for a new agreement between the African, Caribbean and Pacific Group of States (ACP) and the European Union, since the initial pact was signed here.

“Discussions on the future relationship between the ACP and EU will begin later this year,” said the EU Ambassador during his address to those gathered at the Pegasus Hotel for the celebration of Europe Day on Wednesday.

Georgetown was the site for the signing of the “Georgetown Agreement” on June 6, 1975. The agreement marked the conception of the ACP, which has enjoyed a long-standing partnership with the EU, commencing with the first Lomé Convention in 1975. President David Granger in his remarks explained that the Lomé Converntions, principally, were trade and aid regimes.

“The Cotonou Agreement, the successor to the Lomé conventions, broadened the scope of this partnership to encompass development cooperation, economic and trade cooperation and political dialogue. The Cotonou Agreement ends in 2020,” said the President.

Guyana is looking forward to a new covenant after the expiration of the existing Cotonou Agreement, said President Granger, noting that the government is in support of a single, legally binding new agreement that will open a new era in economic relations between the ACP and the EU. He believes that a new agreement should aim to transform the ACP economies through investments in industries, infrastructure and Information and Communication Technology (ICT).

The new agreement should also address expanding market access for ACP products and services, while also ensuring environmental security, particularly for the ACP’s small-island developing and low-lying coastal states, the Guyanese leader said. “Guyana in this regard expresses its appreciation to the EU for its support for its climate-change adaptation, disaster risk-reduction and improved coastal zone management under the 11th European Development Fund,” said President Granger.

The President said Guyana remains committed to a long-term partnership between the ACP and the EU. He also iterated Guyana’s commitment to the rule of law, respect for human rights, good governance and democracy.

“We are confident that the development partnership will continue, based on new foundations after the adoption of the new ACP/EU agreement,” said the EU ambassador.
Over the years, the EU has been assisting Guyana in many areas and according to the ambassador, one of the most recent projects was the drafting of a comprehensive restoration and sustainable management plan for City Hall. The official report is expected to be ready by July. In addition, Guyana had also received $1.9 billion from the EU to rehabilitate and protect the sea defences.

On a broader perspective, Videti? said the EU is also committed to assisting Guyana with the Green State Development strategy. The ambassador said Guyana has taken the lead for many things and deserves to be commended, particularly for compliance with the Anti-Money Laundering/Combating the Financing of Terrorism (AML/CFT) regulations, among other things.