GUE/NGL MEPs' attempts to safeguard the voice of ACP (African, Caribbean and Pacific) states in trade talks with the EU have been thwarted in a vote at today's ACP-EU Joint Parliamentary Assembly in Brussels.

GUE/NGL President Gabi Zimmer said: “Although the motion for a resolution on the next steps towards Economic Partnership Agreements (EPAs) between the EU and ACP countries was adopted by large majority, it does not represent the real majority in the Assembly. Through the abusive use of the separate chambers mechanism by the EPP and ALDE, the majority rejection of ACP countries against EPA negotiations had no voice.”

GUE/NGL MEP Younous Omarjee, Vice-Chair of the EP Delegation to the ACP-EU Joint Parliamentary Assembly, commented: “The European side played against ACP countries, that are among the poorest in the world, by rejecting a GUE/NGL amendment that sought to give due attention in the Resolution to an ACP Heads of State and Government declaration that called for putting the consolidation of regional integration processes before trade liberalisation commitments in the EPA process.”

The GUE/NGL also tabled amendments that stressed EPAs should be instrumental to sustainable development in ACP countries and prioritise regional integration, as well as be bound by strict social and environmental criteria.

The ACP–EU Joint Parliamentary Assembly is a biannual plenary meeting of MEPs and elected representatives from ACP countries.

GUE/NGL Press Contact:
Emily Macintosh +32 470 85 05 08
[email protected]
European United Left / Nordic Green Left
European Parliamentary Group