by Pascal K.Dotchevi, Togo, 11 October, 1997
THEME = ECONOMY
The meeting, held from 7-8 October, considered future relations between the Africa, Caribbean and Pacific Group (ACP), and the European Union (EU). Once again, Lome, which gave its name to the Convention uniting this particular group of countries, was the centre of Africa's attention.
Under the aegis of the Organisation of African Unity (OAU), the meeting aimed to find a meeting point of ideas, to be submitted to Heads of States and government representatives at the next ACP-EU meeting, scheduled for 6-7 November, in Libreville, Gabon.
Over fifty delegates, consisting of Finance Ministers, ACP ambassadors accredited to the EU, representatives from Africa's regions and sub regions, repeated the urgent need for the continent to adopt a common position on negotiations with the European Union, so as to establish priorities.
In his opening speech, Togo's Prime Minister Kwassi Klutsé, stressed that Africa must "undertake a reform of its economic structures and set up appropriate development strategies, in order to establish a true and dynamic partnership. This must be done within the framework of the new world economy."
The OAU's deputy Secretary-General, Vijak Singh Makhan made the following point: "The new ACP-EU Convention must take into account the contents of the Treaty of Abuja, establishing the African Economic Community; and the decisions taken at Cairo, to re-launch Africa's economic and social development". He also invited delegates to consider as common priorities, such items as the whole question of aid, Africa's external debt and political dialogue.
Mr Makhan recommended that Africa should have its own negotiating team, able to strengthen the negotiating capacity of individual African states, regional economic communities and Africa's representation in international financial institutions. This would be done under the aegis of the OAU.
At the conclusion of the Lome meeting, the ministers issued a Common Declaration. They once again, deplored the continent's precarious socio-economic situation, in spite of its many efforts to establish a solid basis for development. They all hoped that some time in the future, Africa's peoples will be able to enjoy a better standard of living, and that people come first in the order of priorities, when planning for development.
The ministers were opposed to "a geographical extension of ACP-EU relations to other developing countries". They called on Heads of States and governments, to create an African Economic Community and strengthen regional integration. To achieve this, they invited their European partners to join with the ACP countries in "setting up new dynamic relations adapted to the exigences of the twenty- first Century, and based on the principals of equal rights and national sovereignty".
The Lome meeting also insisted on the need for Africa to set up democratic institutions, that will guarantee "decentralisation and grassroots participation for long- lasting development". This will be achieved by working together with NGOs, women's organisations and other members of the civil society. Concerning trade cooperation, the ACP group is certainly the under-dog. This situation is worsened by the World Trade Organisation's rules, which do not favour Africa.
In a continent where socio-economic problems always override economic development, delegates emphasised that development, is first and foremost, the responsibility of Heads of States. If they can make their view-points accepted in Libreville, on the 6th and 7th November, then Africa can face the twenty-first century with hope.
END