All set for ACP Group Summit

Accra, Sept. 19, GNA - All is set for the hosting of the 6th Summit of the Heads of State and Government of the African, Caribbean and Pacific Group of States (ACP Group), scheduled to be held from September 30 to October 3 2008. The Summit will be preceded by a meeting of the ACP Council of Ministers and Joint Meeting of ACP Council of Ministers and ACP Ministers of Foreign Affairs.

The Summit of Heads of State and Government is the highest organ of the ACP Group and defines the major orientations of the Group. It has been held regularly since 1997 to enable the Heads of State and Government of the ACP member countries to outline the main guidelines of the overall policy of the ACP Group and to give the Council of Ministers the necessary directives for their implementation. Briefing the press on the preparations made towards the successful hosting of the summit, Dr Charles Brempong-Yeboah, Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs, Regional Integration and NEPAD, said delegates to the conference should expect the best from Ghanaians. So far, 41 countries have confirmed their participation, including 17 dignitaries at the highest level.

Expectations are that 1,500 delegates will attend the summit. High on the agenda is a meeting of ACP Ministers of Finance and Foreign Affairs, a mid-term review of the Cotonou Partnership Agreement, the accord that defines the relationship between the European Union and the ACP states.

Other issues to be looked at are global perspectives and the attainment of the Millenium Development Goals, rising food prices, energy and the Economic Partnership Agreements. Dr Brempong-Yeboah said accommodation and transportation arrangements were underway. He said Ghana would host four delegates from each country while other members of delegations would cater for their stay in the country.