Foreign Affairs Minister and Asia Pacific Council (ACP) co-president Rimbink Pato said the ACP Council of Foreign Affairs meeting today was very constructive and engaging
Pato in a news conference this afternoon said they will set the discussion part for ACP government leaders tomorrow.
“We will be advising our leaders on the development issues in terms of the political and organisational structure that will impact ACP group because come 2020, the Cotonou (Partnership) Agreement will come to an end.
“Two main key things we discussed in the meeting today were two major documents; one is the Port Moresby Declaration which looks at the operational issues of the ACP group moving forward in terms of its political structure and operation of the (ACP) Secretariat.
“The other major document on which we will advise the ACP heads of State and Governments is the Waigani Communique in which the ministers had the opportunity to look at and discuss what would be the future perspective group of the ACP Group 2020 when Cotonou (Partnership) Agreement expires,” Pato said.
Cotonou (Partnership) Agreement has been adapted to fit global development trends, growing from a focus on trade and aid, to include peace and security, good governance, democratic principles and respect for human rights.
And under the EU-ACP agreement for the period of 2014-2020, the European Union has allocated Euro 31.5 billion under the European Development Fund for ACP countries.
The ACP leaders’ meeting will happen tomorrow (Tuesday).