PES Development Ministers call for development oriented economic partnership agreements

14 March 2007


The PES Ministers and Party spokespersons on Development and Cooperation policy gathered on 12th March 2007, in the margins of the Informal meeting of EU Ministers of Development Cooperation in Bonn.

The meeting focused on the agenda of the Development Council with an emphasis  on the Economic Partnership Agreement (EPAs) negotiations between the EU and 78 ACP countries. The negotiations are at a turning point as they should be concluded by the end of 2007,  however, there is still a wide gap to bridge to reach agreements. EPA negotiations are complexe; they are not simply about tariffs but cover a multitude of trade and related development issues.

Heidemarie Wieczorek-Zeul, Coordinator of the PES Development Ministers Network and German Minister for Economic Cooperation and Development, insisted that "The EPAs must give the ACP countries a fair opportunity to participate in the global market, notably by boosting regional integration. These developing countries, many the poorest LDCs, need time and therefore a long transition period to grow into free trade areas. Trade must be conducive to fight poverty and achieve sustainable development. The frank exchange of views and our willingness to increase aid for trade will be major steps to conclude these negotiations."

Alarmed by recent reports on climate change and global warming, PES Ministers debated the link between Energy and Development. The EU should lead the way towards clean energy. While mitigation is the urgent task in OECD countries and emerging economies, the developing countries need access to clean energy, in particular renewable energy, and greater support for adaptation to climate change. 

On Energy and Development, Poul Nyrup Rasmussen, PES President, said, "The current conjecture gives a unique opportunity for Developing countries that have natural resources, especially gas and oil, to improve their economic development. Now, the EU should be careful that the benefits are shared with the citizens; these extra incomes must serve development policy and the Millennium Goals and not be embezzled for the sole interest of the ruling class."  

The PES President added, "I welcome that Ms Wieczorek-Zeul dedicates 386 millions euros to secure clean energy access to African countries ; Development without energy isn’t possible, renewable energy will make development sustainable and fight climate change."