Abuja, 22/03/2000 (Agence Europe) - During his speech before the Joint Assembly currently meeting in the Nigerian capital, European Commissioner Poul Nielson stressed that the natural disaster which recently struck Mozambique confirms poverty makes populations more vulnerable. He recalled that, out of total international community aid of EUR 118 million, the European Union and its Member States make a contribution of EUR 91 million. He indicated, moreover, that development aid earmarked for this country would be increased by 50% in 2000 and 2001, from EUR 100 to 150 million annually. The aid may above all serve to rebuild infrastructures. While acknowledging the fact that "this could certainly have gone faster", he said that "it is wrong to say nothing was done during three weeks". He went on to add that it is "easier to mobilise cameras than logistic means for helping people". This was the Commissioner's response to criticism voiced by several MEPs on the slowness of Community intervention.
Mr Nielson then affirmed that the EU-Africa Summit, on 3 and 4 April in Cairo, will not just be a "family photo" but should define a strategic framework for future relations between Europe and Africa. He recalled that Romano Prodi hopes to "grant greater priority to Africa".
Concerning the results of the negotiation of the new ACP-EU partnership, Commissioner Nielson again affirmed that the new agreement will bring EU-ACP relations into a new phase. He insisted on the new dimension to political dialogue, which should also cover "embarrassing subjects" such as armed conflict, respect of human rights, the promotion of democracy and good governance of public affairs. He insisted on the preponderant place in the innovative aspects granted to commerce and investment as well as greater involvement of the civil society. In order to calm fears linked to the abandoning of stabilisation systems for export earnings, Stabex and Sysmin, he reaffirmed that the variations undergone by export earning will continue to be taken into account, but more coherently and in support of sector-specific restructuring efforts, in the general framework of development aid. Adding the unused leftover of EUR 9.5 billion from earlier EDF and the 13.5 billion forecast for the next seven years, the Commissioner said this total amount of EUR 23 billion will allow the Union to substantially increase the annual aid flow during this period.
Council President Amado states armed conflicts will be focus of EU/Africa Summit in Cairo
EU Council President Luis Amado, Portuguese Secretary of State for Cooperation, stressed that armed conflicts will certainly be the focus of the EU-Africa summit in Cairo. He stressed that the multiplication of such conflicts is one of the main obstacles to development. The EU will insist on respect of human rights, the rule of law and good governance of public affairs, explained Mr Amado, while the African party hopes to place emphasis on economic issues.
As far as the new ACP-EU partnership is concerned, Mr Amado noted that the agreement reached confirms the importance of the Joint Assembly, an essential meeting for improving mutual understanding. He stressed the new possibility open to the Assembly to meet at regional and sub-regional level. Mr Amado also stressed the flexibility of the new convention, the importance granted to the private sector, and the priority given to the integration of ACP countries in international trade.
The Joint Assembly then heard Abdenego Seisa Nqojane (Lesotho) present the report he is preparing on globalisation. In its existing form, globalisation is not positive for everyone: there are the winners and the losers. He considers it essential to give globalisation a "human face" and to reflect on the possibility of ACP/EU joint action for "organising globalisation".