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This weblog shares information on key ACP-EU programmes and events
from Brussels relevant to agriculture and rural development in ACP countries.
Date : [DATE]
CTA Brussels Newsletter
Main events in the week
- Rural Development Briefing in West Africa on Land access
- EU ministers oppose GM rule change
- Brussels based Pacific Ambassadors want EPA negotiations stepped-up
- 5th International Conference on Agricultural Statistics
- EU set to overshoot its Kyoto emission targets
- EU Environment Ministers Adopt Negotiating Position for Cancun
- Support for ACP banana-exporting countries
- HR Catherine Ashton nominates the top management of EEAS
- EU Council Conclusions on the Sahel
- South Sudan : EU allocates €17 million for ongoing humanitarian needs
- The EU calls on trading partners to remove protectionist trade barriers
- Commission proposes to improve European disaster response
- Flower Firms Bank on Euro to Rebound
- EU Resumes Direct Support After Several Years
- JRC collaboration with NASA results in earth science data transfer
- Improved access to info on low-carbon energy technologies
- Germany supports Africa-EU Energy Partnership
- EU pressed to act on combating world malnutrition
- The EC grants € 9.5 million to support the electoral process
- Launch of the ACP Observatory on Migration
- Uganda set to sign economic partnership pacts
- The EIB and AfDB finance first large-scale wind farm in Africa
- EU urged to merge IMF executive board seats
- Rural Development Briefing in West Africa on Land access
2010-10-29
NEWSLETTER_CATEGORIES : ACP-EU Trade, Rural development, Aid effectiveness, Environment, Archive, Regional Fisheries, Food Security
The Rural Development Briefing in West Africa on “Land access, land acquisitions and rural development: New challenges, new opportunities” to be held in Ouagadougou , Burkina Faso from the 1st to –the 3rd of November 2010 will discuss the links between climate change, agriculture and food security in rural areas: Governance and Financing of climate adaptation; the Land acquisition and its contribution to development and the Promotion of responsible agricultural transnational investments. The target group is more than 120 policy makers from West Africa and other African countries.
 ACP Regional Briefings
 Programme_7.pdf
- EU ministers oppose GM rule change
2010-10-29
NEWSLETTER_CATEGORIES : Environment, Food Security
A plan by the European Commission to allow member states to unilaterally restrict or authorise the cultivation of genetically modified crops in their own territory has been vehemently opposed by EU heavyweights France, Germany and Italy.“Let me be very clear, in France we refuse even to enter into this discussion,” said France’s Chantal Jouanno during talks between European Union environment ministers in Luxembourg last week.The German environment minister added the acceptance of GMs on a state-by-state basis would destroy the single market. While the UK remained quiet on the issue, deciding to focus on other policy objectives, the pro-GM Netherlands expressed its desire to push ahead with the proposals. It said new rules were needed to break the deadlock which meant only two GM crops had been authorised for commercial cultivation in Europe in over 10 years, with more than 10 more awaiting approval. Meanwhile an online petition, driven by Greenpeace to oppose all commercial cultivation of GM crops, has gathered more than one million signatures. With the one million mark crossed EU Health Commissioner John Dalli, who wants to water down the EU’s tough stance on GM crops, is duty bound to consider the petition under the 2009 Lisbon Treaty.
Source: greenbio.checkbiotech.org
Read more
Food and Feed Safety
- Brussels based Pacific Ambassadors want EPA negotiations stepped-up
2010-10-28
Pacific ACP Ambassadors in the European Union have underlined the need to speed-up the stalled Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) negotiations in the region and they want more engagement in the process. Pacific ACP Ambassadors in the European Union have underlined the need to speed-up the stalled Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) negotiations in the region and they want more engagement in the process. In their meeting last week in Brussels, the Pacific Ambassadors of the African, Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) Group, through their coordinator and the Ambassador of Vanuatu, H.E Mr. Roy Mickey Joy, urged the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat to accelerate the process. Mr Joy stressed that given the amount and the volume of resources provided by the European Union to the PIF Secretariat through the Regional Indicative Programme, to the negotiation process, it's astounding to know that close to three years little has been achieved. He said the Pacific Forum Secretariat, which was mandated to negotiate on-behalf of the region, may have other important commitments to pursue; however, the importance of the EPA negotiations remains a very important issue, considering the level of resources and the commitment that the EU gives to most of the Pacific states. Ambassador Joy also underscored the need for Pacific ACP Ambassadors in Brussels and London to be kept abreast with the developments in the EPA negotiations. He said given their proximity to the EU and the ACP Group, it is vital that they are informed of the status of play on the EPAs.
Source: Islands Business
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ACP EU Trade
ACP Group
- 5th International Conference on Agricultural Statistics
2010-10-28
NEWSLETTER_CATEGORIES : Food Security
As part of its work in making sure food security related statistics are better integrated in national statistical systems, the EC-FAO Programme hosted a one day event at the 5th International Conference on Agricultural Statistics (ICAS V). The conference also provided an opportunity to discuss the newly endorsed Global Strategy to Improve Agricultural and Rural Statistics.
Source: foodsec.org
Read more
EC-FAO Side Event
Improve Agricultural and Rural Statistics
- EU set to overshoot its Kyoto emission targets
2010-10-28
NEWSLETTER_CATEGORIES : Environment
A large fall in greenhouse gas emissions brought about by a reduction of industrial activity led by the economic crisis has put the EU on a fast track to meet its Kyoto commitments, but Austria, Denmark and Italy are falling behind, according to new figures. The EU-15 cut their average annual greenhouse gas emissions by 253 million tonnes of CO2-equivalent beyond what would be required to meet their collective 8% target during 2008 and 2009, according to the latest progress report by the European Environment Agency (EEA), published on 12 October."This puts the EU-15 collectively 5.9% below the 8% Kyoto reduction target," the EEA said. This would give them a head start "to reach and even overachieve" the target, it added. However, the report noted that the estimates are based on the assumption that EU countries overachieving their targets will be able to make up for any shortfall by others. It identified Austria, Denmark and Italy as the black sheep that will have to achieve further emission reductions in sectors not covered by the EU emissions trading scheme (EU ETS) or by buying more carbon credits than already planned.
Source: Euractiv
Read more
Progress towards achieving the Kyoto objectives
Tracking progress towards Kyoto
- EU Environment Ministers Adopt Negotiating Position for Cancun
2010-10-28
NEWSLETTER_CATEGORIES : Environment
At their meeting on 14 October 2010, in Brussels, Belgium, the Council of the EU Environment Ministers agreed on a negotiating strategy for the Cancun Climate Change Conference to be held in late 2010.
In the Council's conclusions, the Ministers stress the need for a stepwise approach, building on the Kyoto Protocol and the outcomes of the Copenhagen Climate Change Conference, and paving the way for a global and comprehensive legally binding framework, integrating the political guidance given in the Copenhagen Accord. Ministers note the limited progress made at the Bonn and Tianjin sessions towards identifying elements of a balanced package in Cancun, and emphasize that a very significant increase in the pace of the negotiations will be needed in order to reach a successful and balanced outcome in Cancun. Ministers indicate that decisions to be adopted in Cancun should cover: adaptation; mitigation; technology; capacity building; REDD+ (reducing emissions from deforestation and forest degradation, as well as the role of conservation, sustainable management of forests and enhancement of forest carbon stocks); agriculture; monitoring, reporting and verification (MRV); finance and market-based mechanisms. They stress the need to anchor all countries’ pledges in Cancun, whether made pursuant to the Copenhagen Accord or otherwise, in the context of the UNFCCC, with a view to facilitating the clarification of those pledges, mobilizing support for their implementation and supporting discussions on options to strengthen the collective level of ambition with a view to meeting the 2°C objective. Ministers also express support for a decision in Cancun to establish a registry to start capturing and facilitate matching of actions and support.
Source: Council of the European Union
Read more
UN Climate Change Conference
- Support for ACP banana-exporting countries
2010-10-28
NEWSLETTER_CATEGORIES : ACP-EU Trade
The 3040th Council meeting on General Affairs held in Luxembourg on 25 October 2010 decided not to approve all amendments to its position on the financing of so-called banana accompanying measures voted by the European Parliament.In accordance with Article 314 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the EU, a conciliation committee will now be convened in order to agree on a joint text within 21 days.
In adopting its position on draft amending budget no.3 for 2010, the Council accepted the financing
of EUR 56.7 million for the accompanying measures to help ACP banana-exporting countries affected by liberalisation measures in the framework of the World Trade Organisation. In the view of the Council, this amount should be secured by redeployments within heading 4 of the EU budget (EU as a global player) and from the margin of the same heading. Concerning the financing of further EUR 18.3 million for ACP banana supplier countries, the Council asked the Commission to propose as soon as possible additional redeployments within heading 4.
Source: Council of the European Union
Read more
Banana market
- HR Catherine Ashton nominates the top management of EEAS
2010-10-27
Catherine Ashton, the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy/Vice-President of the European Commission has today announced the appointment of Pierre Vimont as the Executive Secretary General of the future External Action Service and David O’Sullivan as its Chief Operating Officer."I promised to appoint the brightest and best and in Pierre Vimont as the Executive Secretary General, and David O'Sullivan as Chief Operating Officer I have done just that. Pierre is held in the highest regard by the diplomatic community and will bring a wealth of knowledge and expertise on foreign policy issues. David has served in the highest capacity in the European Commission, as well as having a diplomatic background. In their respective roles they will help to create a European diplomatic service that the people of Europe can be proud of," said Catherine Ashton.
Source: Council of the European Union
Read more
EEAS
- EU Council Conclusions on the Sahel
2010-10-27
The 3041st Council of Minsiters on Foreign Affairs held on 25th October in Luxembourg emphasised the development of cross-border threats such as terrorism and organised crime, coupled with extreme poverty, unresolved internal conflicts and the weakness and fragility of the States concerned, constitutes a growing challenge for the stability of the region and for the European Union. These threats directly affect the local populations and States of the region, particularly Mauritania, Mali and Niger. They also have an impact on the security of European nationals.In close cooperation with the States of the region, the United Nations, the African Union and other international partners, and in support of the efforts already undertaken by the Sahel States, the European Union, following up the work being done by the Commission and the Council Secretariat to formulate a holistic and integrated approach, intends to make use of various instruments at its disposal in a coherent way to foster security, stability, development and good governance in the Sahel-Saharan strip. The EU is also encouraging the strengthening of dialogue and cooperation between the countries of the region. To this end, the Council invites the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, in association with the Commission, to draw up a strategy on the Sahel for the beginning of next year.
Source: Council of the European Union
Read more
Aid in action - Sahel
- South Sudan : EU allocates €17 million for ongoing humanitarian needs
2010-10-27
Today, the European Commission approved an additional package of €17 million to support the [strage word] advance stockpiling / preparation of essential humanitarian provisions in Darfur, the South and the Transitional Areas ahead of the referendum on the self determination of Southern Sudan, expected in January 2011. This new decision brings the Commission's support for humanitarian aid in Sudan to a total of €131 million. Commissioner Georgieva said: "The humanitarian needs in several parts of Sudan are considerable. We need to boost our response to avoid the looming breakdown in food assistance programmes. We also need to provide support to our partners so that they are prepared, thus preventing a further deterioration of the humanitarian situation threatened by violence which could surround the [referendum should be used if there will only be one. "Referenda" is plural] of 2011.” The additional funding is aimed mainly at supporting the major humanitarian pipelines for provisions such as food, non-food items, nutritional supplies, medical kits, seeds and tools, that need to be purchased and stockpiled[?] so that they can be distributed on time to the people in need. The referenda on self determination for the South and the Abyei region due to take place in January 2011 may cause unrest and displacements among the population, so the humanitarian community is preparing itself for these scenarios.
Source: European Commission
Read more
Humanitarian Aid & Civil Protection
- The EU calls on trading partners to remove protectionist trade barriers
2010-10-27
NEWSLETTER_CATEGORIES : ACP-EU Trade
A new report published today by the European Commission shows that more than 330 trade restrictive measures have been taken by the European Union's major trade partners since the outbreak of the financial and economic crisis in 2008. Despite the economic recovery and contrary to the G20 commitment, a mere ten percent of those measures have been removed in the meantime. Ahead of the G20 summit in Seoul, the European Commission calls on its trading partners to remove the remaining restrictions in order not to undermine the recovery. EU Trade Commissioner Karel De Gucht said: "With the economic recovery still fragile, the world's major economies must remove the trade restrictive measures that put a break on growth. For the world economy to move forward, we have to roll back these barriers. The G20 summit in Seoul needs to demonstrate leadership in this respect." The latest report is the seventh in a series of reports which the European Commission has been issuing on trade restrictive measures adopted by major trade partners since the beginning of the economic crisis in 2008. The monitoring mechanism has been an important tool to ensure vigilance during the crisis and prevent an escalation of trade protectionism. The report covers thirty of the EU's trading partners over the two-year period from October 2008 to September 2010. The measures found range from classical trade barriers such as import bans or tariff increases to "buy national" and other behind-the-border policies. The report finds that many of the new barriers are rapidly becoming permanent features of the world trading system and risk undermining the economic recovery.
Source: European Commisison
Read more
Read the report
information on market access
- Commission proposes to improve European disaster response
2010-10-27
A step towards faster and more efficient EU response to disasters was made today, as the European Commission presented proposals to reinforce the Union's capacity to act on civil protection and humanitarian assistance. The aim is to improve the disaster response of the European Union, both within and outside of its borders.
Kristalina Georgieva, European Commissioner for International Cooperation, Humanitarian Aid and Crisis Response, said: "The world is changing and the number of disasters worldwide has risen fivefold since 1975. From the earthquake in Haiti to the industrial spill in Hungary we have seen that a combined European response can be more effective – both on the field, and in terms of cost.In a situation where every hour counts the European Union needs a system that guarantees the availability of key assets for immediate deployment. We can not afford to wait for the next mega disaster before we take action." The new strategy aims to develop scenarios for the main disaster risks and to identify the assets needed if these risks materialise; in addition, a map will be drawn of Member States' assets that are currently available for EU response, and national authorities will be requested to voluntarily put core equipment on standby, available for rapid European assistance if needed. To achieve this, the Commission outlines a twin-track approach: first, it proposes that a European Emergency Response Capacity is set up, based on Member States' expertise and assets; and second, a European Emergency Response Centre will be the new platform for more effective EU coordination whenever disasters strike. This centre, which will merge the humanitarian aid (ECHO) and civil protection (MIC) crisis rooms, will collect real-time information on disasters, monitor hazards, alert member states, and coordinate the EU's disaster response actions. Improved EU capacity in this area has multiple benefits – most importantly, saving lives and helping recovery. In addition, today's proposals aim to reinforce the Union's input in the overall coordination in post-disaster situations, carried out by the United Nations.The strategy also identifies the need for increased visibility of the work done by the EU in its disaster response operations. Measures are proposed including the use of EU symbols and ensuring that the Commission's humanitarian partners give adequate visibility to EU-funded assistance. The disaster response strategy is based on making the most effective use of existing instruments rather than establishing new overarching structures. [These proposals will be complemented later on by the Commission's proposal for an Internal Security Strategy, proposals on the role of the EEAS in disaster response and also the implementing arrangements for the Solidarity Clause which was introduced in the Lisbon Treaty.The European Union has had two main instruments to provide a first response to disasters – humanitarian assistance and civil protection. Both have been placed on new legal basis by the Treaty of Lisbon. Legislative proposals will be made in 2011 to implement the key proposals that are made in the Communication.
Source: European Commission
Read more
Humanitarian Aid & Civil Protection
- Flower Firms Bank on Euro to Rebound
2010-10-26
NEWSLETTER_CATEGORIES : ACP-EU Trade
The hardening of the euro against the US dollar has raised expectations among cut flower exporters who were bracing for income knocks following a reduction in airlifted volumes. A resurgent euro coupled with a weak shilling provides room for significant gains by exporters. "We are hoping to recoup losses since the year has been quite tough for us," said Ms Jane Ngige, the CEO of Kenya Flower Council. The dollar has plunged from a peak of 1.294 against the euro in the last two months to a 10-month low of 1.398. The shilling is trading at 112 against the euro, the lowest level since 2004.
Exports dropped
That means exporters will get more money in shilling terms for their produce, which is paid for in euros, even when the earnings are converted to dollars."The euro rose against the dollar on speculation that the US government will debase the greenback by increasing purchases of government debt," reported the Bloomberg. More than 80 per cent of horticulture exports are sold to European markets and are paid for in euros.
Read more
Kenya Flower Council
ACP horticultural exporters
- EU Resumes Direct Support After Several Years
2010-10-26
NEWSLETTER_CATEGORIES : Aid effectiveness
The European Union has commenced direct bi-lateral economic transactions with the Government, ending its bureaucratic network for years, with the provision US$20million for direct budget support, thus restoring the country's prewar power to manage financial allocations from the EU Fund intended for developing countries. Unlike in the past when allocations for Liberia were reviewed and managed by the EU delegation in Abidjan (Ivory Coast) and Germany, Liberia can now directly engage the EU country delegation here about the disbursement of its allocation in the fund. This is why the US$20million agreement is a direct budget support instead of program as was done during the long years of civil war in Liberia."We are now responsible for coordinating programming and regular monitoring and evaluation of all EU supported programs in Liberia," Planning Minister Amara Konneh said Wednesday after signing the agreement for the grant on behalf of the Liberian Government.The head of EU delegation, Mr. Attoilio Pacific signed the agreement saying for the European Union's support to Liberia would "remain unwavering from humanitarian to development aid".
President Ellen Johnson witnessed the occasion and expressed appreciation to the EU for the grant.
Source: Allafrica
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EU relations with liberia
- JRC collaboration with NASA results in earth science data transfer
2010-10-26
NEWSLETTER_CATEGORIES : Environment
A unique partnership between NASA and organisations in Africa and Europe, including the JRC's Institute for Environment and Sustainability (IES), has sent more than 30 terabytes of free Earth science satellite data to South African researchers to support sustainable development and environmental applications in Africa. The partnership began in spring 2008, when JRC-IES participated in an intensive field campaign to study the environment around Kruger National Park, organised by South Africa's Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR). The researchers studied the area using direct, airborne and space-based measurements.
Source: European Commission
Read more
IES
- Improved access to info on low-carbon energy technologies
2010-10-26
NEWSLETTER_CATEGORIES : Environment
A new version of the SETIS website has been published, better structured for ease of access to information on particular low carbon technologies. SETIS, the Strategic Energy Technology Information System, is run by the JRC's Institute for Energy in support of the Commission's Strategic Energy Technology Plan (SET Plan). New features include a toolkit where SETIS' interactive tools, such as the Energy Cost Calculator and the 'bubble chart' on potential energy scenarios can be readily accessed. The site now also better integrates all available items on a particular technology and displays them on a single page. BIOMAP, another newly integrated feature, provides unique information on EU-funded and industrial projects as well as several aspects of biofuels technologies and feedstocks, including legislation, quality specifications and the key stakeholders.
Source: European Commission
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Combating climate change
- Germany supports Africa-EU Energy Partnership
2010-10-26
Over 300 decision-makers from Africa and Europe met on 14 September 2010 in Vienna for the First High-Level Meeting of the Africa-EU Energy Partnership. Representing Germany at the conference, Parliamentary State Secretary Gudrun Kopp emphasised that "development is only possible with energy. That is why Germany has supported the Partnership since the very beginning and is one of the driving forces behind it." The aim of the Africa-EU Energy Partnership is to establish access to modern, sustainable energy services for a further 100 million people in Africa by 2020. The outcomes of the conference will flow into the Action Plan of the EU-Africa Summit, which is scheduled to take place in Libya at the end of November 2010.
Source: German Ministry of Development Cooperation (BMZ)
Read more
Africa-EU Energy partnership
- EU pressed to act on combating world malnutrition
2010-10-26
NEWSLETTER_CATEGORIES : Food Security
Former EU commissioner Mario Monti has called for urgent action to combat the rising death toll caused by malnutrition. Addressing a conference in parliament on Tuesday, the Italian said one billion people in the world were undernourished and some 36 million deaths a year are linked to malnutrition. Monti highlighted what he called the paradox of severely undernourished people in some parts of the world and rising obesity in other areas. He said this represented a "very dangerous imbalance".The former commissioner for competition policy called on the EU to produce "better policies" for tackling the problem. On the economic and social implications of food and nutrition, Monti said, "Issues related to food and nutrition take on increasing importance in terms of their impact on the economy and society." The conference was called to discuss ways of promoting healthy eating, better diet and reducing the impact of food production on the environment. According to a scientific study presented to the conference by the Barilla centre for food and nutrition (BCFN) a healthy diet also benefits the environment. The study, 'Double pyramid: healthy food for people, sustainable food for the planet', indicates that foods with higher recommended consumption levels are also those with lower environmental impact. Contrarily, those foods with lower recommended consumption levels are also those with higher environmental impact.
Source: The Parliament
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Food-aid policy and management
- The EC grants € 9.5 million to support the electoral process
2010-10-25
On 25 October, the Commission adopted the decision to financially support the 2011 electoral process in the Central African Republic. This will contribute to consolidating the peace building process in the Central African Republic. The presidential and legislative elections will take place on 23 January and 20 March. Andris Piebalgs, Commissioner for Development, says: "I unreservedly support any initiatives which strengthen democracy, in Africa and elsewhere. The support of the European Union to the electoral process will allow the Central African Republic to honour its commitments to democratic consolidation. Presidential and legislative elections which are well prepared, free and credible constitute an essential condition for the peace building process in the Central African Republic." The European Commission is pleased that the members of the Independent Electoral Commission have signed an agreement on the timetable and encourages all of the signatories to pursue the preparations in a consensual spirit. These will be the second free and democratic elections in the Central African Republic since constitutional order was restored in 2005. The support will be financed under the 10th European Development Fund (EDF) which is the main EU financial instrument for development aid and under which a € 4 million contribution had originally been allocated. The EU's decision to increase its contributions to a final total of € 9.5 million testifies to the depth of its commitment to reinforcing democracy in the Central African Republic.
Source: European Commission
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EU relations with the CAR
African Peace Facility
- Launch of the ACP Observatory on Migration
2010-10-25
NEWSLETTER_CATEGORIES : Archive
On 25 October 2010, the African, Caribbean and Pacific Observatory on Migration will be officially launched at a special ceremony in Brussels, in presence of Commissioner for Development, Andris Piebalgs. The European Commission and the African, Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) countries worked together to create the ACP Observatory on Migration. This new body will provide reliable data and information on migration flows in ACP countries. The objective is to design better policies to enhance the migration contribution to development. The Observatory will cover all six ACP regions and start in twelve pilot countries, namely Angola, Cameroon, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Haiti, Kenya, Lesotho, Nigeria, Papua-New-Guinea, Senegal, Tanzania, Timor-Leste and Trinidad and Tobago. "South-South migration flows tend to receive less attention than South-North movements. Yet, the number of people migrating from a Southern country to another is i extremely important and has impact on development. The ACP Observatory on migration will help us to have a clearer view on these migratory flows and to shape adequate policies", said Andris Piebalgs, European Commissioner for Development. The ACP Observatory on Migration will tackle existing data and information gaps and will improving policy-oriented knowledge on migration flows of ACP countries. Indeed, available data on ACP migration is often scarce and sometimes unreliable. As a consequence, in many countries, migrants’ needs are not taken into account appropriately. The Observatory will introduce an innovative approach to enhance research capacities in ACP countries and provide policy makers with the tools to improve their actions. Research will focus on key topics such as, labour migration, migration and health, remittances, brain drain/gain, forced migration and climate change. The Observatory will foster networking and cooperation between research institutions, private researchers and government agencies. It will be placed under the responsibility of the Secretariat of the ACP Group and funded by the European Union. The total budget for the project is around € 9.4 million. The European Union contributes with around €8 million financed from the 9th European Development Fund.
Source: European Commission
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ACP Observatory on Migration
Andris Piebalgs
- Uganda set to sign economic partnership pacts
2010-10-25
NEWSLETTER_CATEGORIES : ACP-EU Trade
Two years since the five East African partner states and the European Union (EU) initialed a text of the frame-work agreement for the East African Community (EAC)-EU, Economic Partnership Agreement. (EPA), the region is yet to sign the document. But driven by the broader market space of close to 130 million people expected to trigger expansion of the common market opportunities, and despite the cautions from Civil Society Organisations (EAC) to the EAC states to re-think and go slow on signing a comprehensive EPA, Uganda, apparently, seems to have made up her mind to sign it. At a one day dialogue on EPA and Opportunities in the EAC, organized the Ministry of Tourism Trade and Industry in conjunction with EA related trade and private Sector Support (EPA TAPSS) programme, in Kampala recently, Uganda's state Minister for Trade Nelson Gagawala, reiterated the country's position saying Uganda will sign the EPA. The EAC Common market was launched on July 1, 2010 after the protocol establishing it was signed in November 2009. The market is important to Uganda and her EAC counterparts because it consolidates economic, social and political ties and creates immense opportunities. The EAC Secretariat convened a joint EAC-EC-EPA Ministerial meeting in Dar-es-salaam from the June 7- 9, 2010 to enable the two parties sign the Framework EPA (FEPA). However there was failure to sign the FEPA and the parties agreed to negotiate outstanding issues in the interim EPA together with comprehensive EPA by November 2010. "The reality today is that the European Union (EU) and the EAC have not even agreed on a timetable for further negotiations to meet the November 2010 deadline," a statement from Southern and Eastern African Trade Information and Negotiations Institute (SEATINI) said. This state of affairs has also been reportedly met by uncertainty in the European Union on how to instill momentum in the EPA negotiations.
Source: East African Business Week
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EU & Uganda
East African Community
- The EIB and AfDB finance first large-scale wind farm in Africa
2010-10-25
NEWSLETTER_CATEGORIES : Environment
The European Investment Bank and African Development Bank today agreed to provide EUR 45m to design, build and operate onshore wind farms on four islands in the Cape Verde archipelago. This will be the first large scale wind project in Africa and first renewable energy public private partnership in sub-Saharan Africa. The project will provide over 28MW of electricity generating capacity and help the island reach an ambitious target of ensuring that 25% of local power needs are provided by renewable energy by 2012 and 50% by 2020. The project is being developed by InfraCo in a public-private partnership between the government of Cape Verde and local power utility Electra. The project will introduce modern wind power technology provided by Vestas to enable wind power to be established as the primary alternative to electricity produced by fuel oil or diesel. Alongside significantly reducing greenhouse gas emissions the programme will increase access to electricity in Cape Verde, reduce the need to import fuel priced in foreign currency and help establish wind energy as a reliable source of non-polluting renewable power on the islands. The European Investment Bank will provide EUR 30m and the African Development Bank EUR 15m for the EUR 65m project. The project follows the European Union 2008 - 2013 Cape Verde country strategy.
Source: EU@UN
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European Investment Bank
African Development Bank
- EU urged to merge IMF executive board seats
2010-10-25
European countries should pool their quota shares in the International Monetary Fund and have only a single seat in the international body’s executive board, an expert suggests in yet another contribution to the growing debate over Europe’s “overrepresentation” at IMF. Daniel Gros, who heads the Belgium-based Center for European Policy Studies, says one European Union seat in the IMF executive board will give the eurozone expanded influence.“The eurozone representative would be very influential, because he would represent an even larger quota than that of the U.S. Indeed, the U.S. Treasury’s de facto dominance within the IMF would become a thing of the past,” Gros explains.He says the eurozone representative would be nominated by European Union finance ministers. Gros acknowledges that European countries would not necessarily be open to his suggested solution. European Union members have a “scant interest” in transferring competencies and international positions to the EU level, he observes. EU finance ministers, in the face of international pressure, have agreed to rotate two of European-controlled IMF board seats with developing countries. Their offer, however, falls short of calls for them to give up some of their voting powers in favor of allowing emerging economies more voice at the fund. As Gros observes: “Europe’s leaders never tire of reminding their constituencies, almost like a mantra, that the major emerging-market countries are overturning the existing global economic order. But when it comes to recognizing that reality in the world’s international financial institutions, they adopt a different tune.”
Source: Devex.com
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EU & IMF
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