Partnership Between EU and ECOWAS Is Ideal - Kufuor

ECOWAS Chairman, President John Agyekum Kufuor on Thursday said the partnership between the European Union (EU) and the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS)has provided a good opportunity for West African States to modernize their economies and become competitive in the global market.

He said the West African States were organising themselves under ECOWAS to provide a common market to enhance their total development, trading competence and afford them a stronger voice in the world.

President Kufuor was proposing the toast at a dinner held at the Banquet Hall, State House in Accra, for participants attending the three-day first EU-ECOWAS Ministerial meeting on the negotiation of an Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA). The meeting, attended by Ministers of Trade and Finance from 13 ECOWAS member states, was aimed at negotiating a dynamic and mutually beneficial economic partnership with the EC.

The ECOWAS Chairman said the Sub-Region, had been watching the remarkable progress made by Europe in forging a unified front in many areas to strengthen their already very strong position in the world.

"With the Euro becoming a common currency in Europe, we in West Africa would realise our dream with a common currency through strenuous efforts," he added.

President Kufuor urged both parties in the negotiations for the EPA to be guided by the years of history behind them and the common vision of the global village to realise their objectives. He commended the participants for reaching an agreement that would be beneficial to the Sub-Region, adding "it is a good opportunity to negotiate an accord that can serve as an idea that could be used in our dealings with other trading blocs."

Mr. Pascal Lamy, EU Commissioner on Trade, replying to the toast, said the agreement on negotiations reached at the meeting would be implemented for their mutual benefit. He said both parties listened to each other and made compromises on the valid points that would be handled well in future negotiations. Mr. Lamy pledged the EU's support to foster regional integration in the Sub-Region.