Brussels, 09/01/2007 (Agence Europe) - Jean-Louis Schiltz, Luxembourg's Development Minister who was the president-in-office of the EU Council when the revised Cotonou Agreement was signed in June 2005 between the EU and 78 ACP (African, Caribbean and Pacific) countries, has put in a great deal of work to reach a commitment by Member States to substantially step up their official development aid (ODA) (0.56% of GDP by 2010 to reach 0.7% in 2015). He nonetheless expresses concern about the future content of the economic partnership agreements (EPAs) between the EU and six ACP regions, and thus seeks to gain assurance from Development Commissioner Louis Michel that the EPA will indeed be a tool for development. He recommends full cooperation so that this goal may be successfully attained.
Talks on the agreements have now entered a decisive phase as they are meant to conclude by the end of 2007 so that EPAs can be implemented on 1 January 2008. There are growing concerns about the development dimension of the future agreements, which are to prepare the establishment of free trade areas between economically unequal partners. Such concerns are expressed not only by ACP countries but also NGOs and representatives of the ACP/EU Joint Parliamentary Assembly. In a letter addressed to Louis Michel on 5 January 2007, Schiltz states his concerns and stresses the “importance not only of setting up equitable agreements but also of ensuring that such agreements are a real tool for development”. He goes on to add that, “in the absence of tangible progress in the Doha Round negotiations [Ed.: at the WTO], I believe such an approach is more relevant than ever. I intend to express this same concern regularly and often in my bilateral contacts with Heads of State, members of government and ambassadors of ACP countries”.
He goes on to express the apprehension felt by his interlocutors regarding questions such as the timetable for negotiations, asymmetrical opening when both products and timing are concerned, questions dealing with particularly sensitive sectors on the ACP side (such as agriculture, for example), flanking measures and measures for capacity building, as well as the financing of the various elements, etc.
The Luxembourg minister explained that he was aware of the work put in by Trade Commissioner Peter Mandelson in negotiations, but now wishes to know Commissioner Michel's point of view on the state of progress of these talks and their “foreseeable evolution over coming months”.
Mr Schiltz concluded by saying he felt it would be useful if, in a not too distant future, they could make a clear record of the whole panoply of offers that the EU and its Member States are willing to make. The same is true regarding the assurance that the EU can give in order to overcome the fears expressed for Europe's southern partners. All this - he continued, saying he felt sure Louis Michel would share his feeling - seems to him indispensable if they are to conclude agreements that take the partnership concept seriously within the given time. Schiltz felt he did not need to point out that the ACP countries are counting on the strong personal involvement of Louis Michel in coming months, mainly regarding the growing pressure of keeping to the timetable. In his view, he goes on to add, only an overall plan that highlights concrete and especially financial efforts being made by Member States and the Commission will provide the necessary accompaniment in order to at last release the EPA development potential. As far as he himself is concerned, Schiltz continues, “I can at any rate assure you of my full personal support as well as the availability of the Luxembourg government to contribute to making this approach a success”. (an)