ACP-EU Partnership: Group Of 79 Insists On Long-term Trade Relations

The African, Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) Group of states has recognised the importance of maintaining long-term trade relations with the European Union (EU) on the one hand, and with the United Kingdom (UK) on the other hand, which are beneficial to all stakeholders. However, as the Brexit process unfolds, member states of the ACP Group have expressed deep concern by the uncertainty of the future of trade deal between the UK and the EU which adversely affects conditions for ACP exporters' access to both markets. Consequently, the group of 79 (ACP), has invited the EU and the UK to consider ACP priorities in their negotiations for UK's withdrawal from the EU, which will ensure the continuity of trade flows and the value of preferences, to ensure continued triangular supply chains.

These among other preoccupations were tabled in Brussels during two important Ministerial sessions which ran from the 20th to the 24th of May 2019. Firstly, it was the 109th Session of Ministers of the ACP States from 20-22/05/2019. This was followed by the 44th joint session of the council of Ministers of the ACP and EU. Prominent on the agenda was the continuation of negotiations for the post-Cotonou Partnership Agreement, before the expiration of the current one in 2020.

While addressing the 109th session, H.E. Dr. Patrick Ignatius Gomes, Secretary General of the ACP disclosed that although substantial progress has been made at the level of negotiations, it was not certain that by February 29, 2020, termin...