Luanda - The Samoa Agreement embodies a common vision to promote investment, economic growth and environmental sustainability, the co-president of the OACPSP-EU Joint Parliamentary Assembly, Carlos Zorrinho, said Wednesday in Luanda.
The European parliamentarian made the statement at the opening session of the 1st Ordinary Plenary Meeting of the OEACP-EU Joint Parliamentary Assembly, chaired by the Vice-President of the Republic, Esperança da Costa.
Carlos Zorrinho said the assemblies will be a space for open dialogue between peoples, scrutiny and commitment from their representatives so that the partnership bears fruit and fosters peace, cooperation, development, the exchange of experiences and good practices.
"The Samoa Agreement heralds a new era of collaboration and partnership between the OACPS nations and the European Union. It is modern, appropriate to the great challenges facing humanity, multilateral, but at the same time flexible and open to bilateral and interregional work," the politician said.
The Samoa Agreement is a new general framework for relations between the EU and the countries of Africa, the Caribbean and the Pacific, covering six priority areas, namely democracy and human rights, development and sustainable economic growth, climate change, human and social development, peace, security and migration and mobility.
Officially signed on November 15, 2023 in Apia (Samoa), the agreement replaces the Cotonou agreement.
According to the lawmaker, in an increasingly fragmented world, marked by an increase in conflicts and violence on an international scale and in which many are betting on closed blocs and intolerant protectionism, this partnership opens the door to multilateral cooperation, based on shared values, respecting the sovereignty of peoples and aiming to improve their living conditions.
"This is a moment to reaffirm our commitment to the principles of solidarity, cooperation and mutual respect. Through dialogue, collaboration and collective action, it is our obligation to help make a more prosperous and sustainable future possible for everyone, particularly the immense youth," Zorrinho said.
Ana Rita Sithole,, leader of the OACPS-EU Parliamentary Assembly, thanked Angola for hosting the meeting, stressing that it demonstrated the government's commitment to the success of the partnership in the organization.
According to Ana Rita Sithole, the meeting paves the way for more inclusive cooperation, the promotion of sustainable development, security, the well-being of citizens, as well as the principles of democracy and mutual respect.
"We will reaffirm our dedication to putting people at the centre of our partnership, giving power back to communities, so that we can promote a future that is equitable, prosperous and resilient," she said.
The OACPS brings together around 1.5 billion people from three continents and 79 countries, 48 from sub-Saharan Africa, 16 from the Caribbean and 15 from the Pacific, making it a significant force in the concert of nations. MCN/VC/AMP
