28 November Development Council

DEVELOPMENT ministers called for stronger political ties between the EU and African, Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) countries, saying high-level talks could help prevent conflict and consequently foster long-term development. The new relationship should differentiate between the ACP states, they added, and focus on local and private sector approaches to development. Ministers agreed that current trade preferences would need to be maintained for some time, but would gradually be replaced by commercial reciprocity and eventual integration into the world trade system.