The sixth biennial summit of the 79-member African, Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) states has ended in Accra, Ghana with issuing its first decision.
According to official statement from the summit released in Accra on Saturday, John Agyekum Kufour, president of Ghana and President-in-Office of the 6th Summit of ACP heads of state and government, said "The summit, having considered the negotiations and the process of the Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) between its states and the European Union, engaged in high level consultations on the EPA, with a number of EU member states."
He said the ACP states have decided to instruct the President of Council and the Secretary-General of the group to explore by the end of Oct. 2008, modalities for conducting this high level engagement with key stakeholders of the European Union and the council of Ministers to pursue the consideration of the creation of an ACP Free Trade Area (FTA).
He said concerns have been adequately addressed in a way that creates conditions for all ACP countries to become part of agreements that genuinely contribute to growth, development and the advancement of regional integration.
According to him, the heads of state and government of the ACP states are determined to safeguard and further enhance our unity and solidarity.
"We are desirous of ensuring that the EPA states are inclusive, foster regional integration and provide tangible development benefits for our peoples," he said.
"In order to smooth the process for finalization of the EPA negotiations, the European Commission and its Member States must take account of the interests and concerns of all our states," he added.
The sixth summit of the African, Carribean and Pacific statesconcluded Friday.
Source:Xinhua
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