§ Dr. TongeTo ask the Secretary of State for International Development if she will make a statement on the progress made on the EU negotiating mandate for Lomé V. [48867]
§ Clare ShortThe General Affairs Council adopted the EU mandate for negotiation of a new Partnership with those African, Caribbean and Pacific States (ACP) party to the Lomé Convention on 29 June. The mandate focuses on the elimination of poverty, the integration of the ACP into the world economy, and promoting peace, security and stability. On development assistance, the UK succeeded in strengthening the mandate to secure stronger backing for the international poverty eradication strategy and targets. On trade, we secured agreement to duty free access for essentially all products from least developed countries by 2005. We also secured a commitment that the non-least developed countries in the ACP who do not join Free Trade Areas with the EU should retain access equivalent to that provided under Lomé IV after 2005. This provides a good basis for negotiations with the ACP which are due to open at the end of September.