The Tanzanian National Assembly has ratified amendments to the Cotonou Partnership Agreement which benefits African, Caribbean and Pacific countries through preferential trade with the European Union.

Tanzania thus joined 77 other African, Caribbean and Pacific countries in ratifying the amendments made in June last year, according to reports reaching here on Saturday from Dodoma where the parliament is currently in session.

Abdisalaam Issa Khatib, deputy minister in the finance ministry, told the country's lawmakers in Dodoma that the Cotonou agreement is of significance to Tanzania as it was expected to assist the country to build a strong economy and reduce poverty.

The 25-member European Union is currently negotiating with the 78 African, Caribbean and Pacific countries on its future relations under the Economic Partnership Arrangements after the expiry of the Cotonou pact.

Under the existing pact, the European Union provides aid and preferential trade to the 78 countries, mostly former colonies of the union countries, up till Jan. 1, 2008 when new trade agreements should be in place.

Source: Xinhua