Brussels, 24/06/2014 (Agence Europe) - It is not grand pronouncements or major projects but rather “realistic” projects that can be accomplished and which enjoy political support at the highest level that the 79 ACP states (Africa, Caribbean, Pacific) require to ensure the success of the ACP group after 2020. That is the main thrust of the message delivered at the ACP Council of Ministers last week in Kenya, which brought together the Group of Eminent Personalities (GEP) at the ACP, chaired by Olusegun Obasanjo, former president of Nigeria (see EUROPE 10929).
Set up in March 2013 by the ACP group to explore the future of the group after expiry of the Cotonou Agreement, signed in 2000 for a 20-year period between the EU and ACP countries, this advisory body presented ministers with its progress report. Its final report will be presented to the summit of ACP heads of state and government scheduled on 6-7 November next in Paramaribo (Suriname).
The progress report states that the GEP is of the opinion that it, “should avoid big projects that cannot not be completed and, on the contrary, put forward realistic objectives that can be accomplished and completed during the future ACP group's functional operations”. The GEP said that “we will only achieve a substantial political will and commitment if common interests are able to maintain the group's cohesion”.
Consultations have been carried out since October 2013 in the different ACP regions and a strong political determination to maintain the group has become evident. Nonetheless, it will be necessary to reinvent itself by adapting to the new global paradigm and by focusing on key areas where the group is best able to take action rather than the existing institutions. It is on the basis of these introductory conclusions that the 16 GEP figures will endeavour, over the next few months, to convince ACP heads of state of their appropriateness and obtain the political commitment required at the highest level. (AN)