Hanna wants more engagement on Cotonou Agreement

The Opposition Spokesperson on Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade believes that the engagement of the European Union (EU) by the African, Caribbean and Pacific Group of States (ACP) in relation to the Cotonou Agreement, which expires in February 2020, has been inadequate.

Jamaica currently chairs the ACP.

The Agreement, signed in June 2000, established a framework of cooperation between the ACP and the EU to foster political, development and economic cooperation.

“The negotiation cycle Mr Speaker has started, and now more than ever, there’s a need for an adaptation of strategies and certainly aid for trade for some of our Caribbean nations and perhaps even Jamaica," said Lisa Hanna as she made her contribution to the Sectoral Debate on Wednesday in Parliament for the first time in her new portfolio.

She added, “Sadly, the Government’s ‘Doctrine of Doing Nothing’ foreign policy strategy has weakened our engagement and international respect built through a history of distinguished leadership, by not only P.J Patterson, but Hugh Shearer, KD Knight, and Anthony Hylton. Distinguished gentlemen who have held the trade dossiers within the ACP.”

Hanna said Jamaica needs to speak up now, contending that issues related to the Agreement could easily be sidelined by the EU and Britain as they deal with Brexit-related matters. 

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