GARDC's Director attends 9th Regional Seminar of ACP-EU Economic & Social Interest Groups

Over 100 participants from the Caribbean region which included non state actors and other participants from the European Commission in Brussels, ACP-EU Joint Parliamentary Assembly, international and regional socio-professional organisations attended the 9th Regional Seminar of ACP-EU Economic & Social Interest Groups in Barbados from 14th-16th May 2007. The objectives of this seminar were to monitor the negotiations on the Economic Partnership and challenges specific to the region and to explore the possibilities of enhanced participation of ACP economic and social interest groups in the EPA's process. A declaration by the representatives was adopted. The following are some of the highlights:

• It was noted that the Cotonou Agreement was a postive instrument for the participation of non state actors in the ACP-EU partnership.
• Delegates welcomed the establishment of Non-State Actor Panels in several Caribbean countries including Antigua and Barbuda.
• An EPA the Caribbean EU was welcomed upon the condition that it facilitates the development of the region and poverty eradication.
• Concerns were addressed in the areas of the transition periods, safeguard measures for sensitive Caribbean products, support for restructing of traditional sectors, investment in human resources in capacity building and support for fiscal reforms.
• Importance was placed on education,training and job creation.

The launching of the Non-State Actors advisory panel was in June 2006.

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