Sustainable development can only be achieved in an environment of peace, security, stability and good governance, Vice-President Danny Faure told the 7th summit of heads of state and government of the Africa, Caribbean and Pacific Group of countries (ACP).

These issues should form part of the priorities of the national policies of the ACP countries, added VP Faure during the summit held in Malabo, Equatorial Guinea from December 13-14 under the theme ‘The future of the ACP group in a changing world: challenges and opportunities’.

VP Faure, who was representing President James Michel at the summit, was accompanied by the principal secretary in the Vice-President’s office Jeanne Simeon and the Seychelles resident ambassador in Brussels, Belgium, Vivianne Fock Tave.

At the summit, the ACP leaders reaffirmed their determination to stay united as a group.  They expressed their commitments to deepen and enhance the ACP-EU relationship as a unique north-south development cooperation model and to strengthen the historic and unique cooperation ties that bind the two parties through a new and mutually beneficial partnership agreement after 2020.

“The ACP group is fully conscious that at this juncture, in the nearly four decades of the existence of the group, the demands for fundamental renewal and transformation of the group are no longer mere options but unavoidable imperatives for strategic change.

 Hence, the summit has underscored the importance of intensifying the ACP group’s commitment to strategic partnerships with other groups of states and international organisations in order to promote and realise its objectives and principles,” remarked VP Faure.

One of the topics discussed at the summit was ‘Meeting the challenges of peace, security, stability and good governance in ACP countries and regions’.

Speaking on behalf of the Eastern Africa region, VP Faure stressed that sustainable development could only be achieved in an environment of peace, security, stability and good governance and that these issues should form part of the priorities of the national policies of the ACP countries.

VP Faure pointed out that although efforts in the Eastern Africa region are geared at pioneering for democracy, encouraging reconciliation and promoting dialogue, these were too often undermined by negative forces.

“The threat of piracy in the Indian Ocean is one of those forces. Not only does it continue to hinder stability in the region, but it is also disturbing the progress towards the socio-economic development, economic growth and poses a serious threat to the food security of the island states of the region,” remarked VP Faure.

He also pointed out that “conflict often stemmed from the lack of good governance and that the Eastern Africa region was optimistic that when countries meet the challenges of good governance, they would subsequently be on the path to achieving peace and stability in the region.” 

Forrás: www.nation.sc