Brussels, 22/11/2002 (Agence Europe) - European Commissioner Pascal Lamy will be in Southern Africa from 25 November to 1 December, in order to give fresh impetus to trade talks underway with the ACP countries, Mr Lamy's spokesperson said. The visit - to Zambia, Mozambique and South Africa - will also provide an opportunity for an exchange of views with his counterparts and with the civil society concerning the effort that must be made to ensure poor countries have access to medicines, a problem that is high on the Union agenda, Mr Lamy said before his departure.
In Zambia, Mr Lamy is to take part at the ministerial meeting of Comesa, the regional group of south-east African countries, when he will meet President Patrick Mwanawasa and Public Health Minister Bryan Chituwo. In Mozambique, where he is going for the first time, a meeting is scheduled with President Joaquim Chissano, and Mr Lamy also hopes to "explore" with Prime Minister Pascoal Mocumbi and Trade Minister Carlos Morgadon the way that trade may contribute to the development of this country, and, above all, facilitate the country's access to essential medicines. In South Africa, he will discuss with his counterparts at SADC (South African Development Community) on regional integration prospects and the technical assistance required in order to take advantage of trade liberalisation.