Ghana and the European Union (EU) delegation to the country last Wednesday held a political dialogue aimed at strengthening the existing cordial relations between them.
The meeting formed part of periodic political dialogue held by the two parties to address various issues, including perceived challenges to their mutual benefit.
A statement issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration in Accra, on Thursday, said the dialogue was co-chaired by the vice president, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, and the Head of EU delegation to Ghana, Irchad Razaaly.
The statement also mentioned it was attended by all the relevant national stakeholders from Ministries, Departments and Agencies, and representatives of the EU Member Countries accredited to Ghana.
The participants, the statement said, discussed issues of mutual interest including the implementation of the Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA), Business Climate, sustainable fisheries partnership and sustainable cocoa production.
It said other issues on the agenda were regional development dynamics and stability (including the Role of the EU and Ghana), climate diplomacy and the just ended COP 26; government, democracy, and business and human rights.
According to the statement, the participants discussed the Neighbourhood Development International Cooperation Instrument (NDCI); cooperation in consular matters; international Instruments and the safety of journalists.
“It is envisaged that the discussions held at the 2021 Political Dialogue would further strengthen the existing cordial relations between Ghana and the EU and address perceived challenges for the mutual benefit of the two peoples,” it said.
The statement said as Ghana’s largest multilateral development and trade partner, the EU and its Member States currently finance about half of all Official Development Assistance (ODA) received by the government of Ghana.
Formalised cooperation between Ghana and the EU began after the first Lome Convention in 1975, and the two parties have since enjoyed fruitful economic and political exchanges which have improved and been strengthened over the years.
BY TIMES REPORTER
