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{
"id": 1220320,
"url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1220320/?format=api",
"text_counter": 275,
"type": "speech",
"speaker_name": "Saku, UDA",
"speaker_title": "Hon. Ali Raso",
"speaker": null,
"content": "For the information of the House, the OACPS-EU Joint Parliamentary Assembly, which is formally referred to as ACP-EU Joint Parliamentary Assembly is one of the organs of joint institution established under the Cotonou Agreement. It came after the Georgetown Agreement of 1975 where the ACP was formed. It is a precursor of what we are witnessing today between the cooperation of African, Caribbean and Pacific States, and Members of the EU. The Cotonou Agreement is a treaty between the EU and the African, Caribbean and Pacific States. It is only Cuba that is in that region but is not a Member of this Organisation. The main objective of partnerships is about sustained development and eradication of poverty within its member states. The ACP-EU Joint Parliamentary Assembly comprises more than 320 Members of Parliament from the 79 OACPS and Members of the European Parliament drawn from the 27 Member States of the EU. Before the exit of the United Kingdom (UK), there were 28 Members in the EU Parliamentary Assembly but now they are only 27. The main objective of this partnership is fundamental in us trying to understand what it is based on. It is based on three pillars: development cooperation, economic and trade cooperation, and political dimension. Most of the countries in the OACPS are the ones which were largely colonized by the countries in the EU cluster. For that reason, they have a very clear and linked association. It is for that reason that they cooperate on matters to do with development – it is because it is in their interest. For example, although the United Kingdom left Kenya almost six decades ago, the Britons are still interested in what goes on in Kenya in terms of development. In the West African Region, where most of the countries in the African Caribbean, Pacific cluster are Francophone, the French are really interested because they have invested in that region. That is why the issue of development is key. On trade co-operation, countries in the South produce commodities and countries in the North, which colonized for many years, are interested in those commodities to refine them in the North. So, trade cooperation is such an important pillar. On the political dimension, we are looking at democracy, the rule of law, the Bill of Rights and all those things that encompass both the social dimension and the well-being of humanity. That is why they tend to be interested in our elections. They would want to see how elections are organized in our countries even as they cooperate with us. Hon. Temporary Speaker, the Joint Parliamentary Assembly currently meets four times every year – twice in Brussels and twice in one of the ACP-EU countries on a rotational basis. The immediate meeting that we are discussing today was held in Maputo, Mozambique, representing the African cluster group. Negotiations have been ongoing for a new partnership agreement which will serve as the new legal framework for EU relations with 79 African, Caribbean and Pacific States that will address global challenges and set priority areas. The main ones are democracy and human rights, sustainable economic growth and development, climate change, human and social development, peace and security, and migration and mobility. I will just touch on climate change. We see the effects of climate change in much bigger ways. In Kenya, we are experiencing prolonged and severe drought, short rains, and very heavy downpours when the rains ultimately come. In the Pacific area, some islands are sinking because of the rising sea level. It is indeed a matter of great concern. On the issue of peace and security, this is an issue that is with us. There is the issue of terrorism, drug trafficking and money laundering. When you come down to our case, today we The electronic version of the Official Hansard Report is for information purposesonly. A certified version of this Report can be obtained from the Hansard Editor."
}