I am concerned about the current process of trade liberalization which seems to prioritize profit over development and the impact on people. In particular, I am concerned that European Union under the aegis of WTO compatibility is heralding the destruction of thousands of livelihoods in the ACP region, leading me to ask, what more will developing countries lose in the EPA negotiations.

In this light, I am calling on the negotiators involved in the process:

To stay true to the spirit and principles of the Cotonou Agreement, which prioritizes development and poverty reduction (Article 19 and 34 (1) ) in order to ensure the livelihoods of thousands of our country’s poorest.