Three Envoys Call On Mills

Accra, Aug. 15, - Vice President John Atta Mills today re- stated Ghana's commitment to a congenial investment climate and called for more foreign support. He said this when the Head of the European Delegation in Ghana and the Ambassadors of Burkina Faso and United States of America made separate calls on him at the Castle, Osu. Professor Mills told the Head of the European Delegation, Mr Javier Puyol, that certain problems have been identified in the economic recovery effort and that the government is doing all it can to solve them. He said the government has adopted measures to address problems like agricultural infrastructure and macro-economics. The Vice President said Ghana cherishes her friendly relations with other nations and is ready to co operate with them to attain national and sub-regional goals. Mr Puyol said the European Union appreciates Ghana's economic recovery efforts and gave the assurance that it will continue with its support. He said the EU is currently involved in about 700 development projects, including rural development and transport infrastructure, in 53 districts. Mr Puyol said his call on the Vice President is to afford him the opportunity to learn and discuss progress of Ghana's economic reforms. "We hope also to discuss the type of economic system to replace the Lome Four convention which expires in the year 2000." The Convention was signed in 1990 between the African, Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) countries and the EU. Mr Puyol commended Ghana for her economic upturn and gave the assurance that the EU would continue to support Ghana to produce high quality products for the European market. The Burkinabe ambassador, Mr Oubkiri Moro Yao said President Blaise Compaore wants President Jerry Rawlings to visit Burkina Faso to further strengthen relations between two countries. He expressed regret that a Ghana-Burkina Faso joint commission has not met for the past six years and said "it is our wish to revitalise this commission to the highest political level". The envoy said his country regarded Ghana as a sister country and that with a combined effort, a lot could be achieved for the mutual benefit of their peoples and the sub-region. Mr Yao announced that in pursuance of this goal, the Burkinabe foreign minister will arrive in Ghana next Monday for further talks. The Vice President congratulated the people of Burkina Faso for their successful elections. U.S. Ambassador Edward Brynn touched on Ghana's crucial role in the new global economic order and expressed his country's willingness to continue to assist in her economic reforms. Mr Brynn said the two countries were good customers of each other, especially now that Ghana has added value to her products. He said the United States is a big market for Ghana and Washington is trying to create a congenial atmosphere for continued trade and investment between the two countries.