Mr. Claude Maerten, Head of the European Union Delegation to Ghana
Mr. Claude Maerten, Head of the European Union Delegation to Ghana Wednesday said Ghana and West Africa stood to gain if they endorsed the Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA).
He noted that Ghana is a country in transition and therefore needed integration with the outside world to boost its transition process.
Speaking at the launch of the Europe Day, which falls on May 9th, Mr. Maerten, said Ghana would not be much affected, as most of the goods that would come into the country from the EU market would mostly be capital goods or goods which are not manufactured in the country such as drugs.
He noted that although a lot of concerns had been expressed by individuals and Civil Society Organisations on what the country stood to lose by endorsing the EPA, there were also benefits.
He said the celebration of the Europe Day was very vital to Europe as it marked the beginning of Europe’s integration, which was started by Robert Schuman.
“It marks the anniversary of the Schuman Declaration which touted how Europe had overcome its differences to shape a common future”, he said.
He said on May 9th, 1950, Robert Schuman, a French Statesman called for the unification of Europe in order to make war impossible on the continent and also to spread peace and prosperity globally.
He said recent events in Ukraine had shown that peace is a value which should not be taken for granted and urged all to safeguard and nurture it.
He said the celebration of this year’s Europe Day was also very special to the EU as it marked the 10th anniversary of when 10 new members joined which did not only enlarge the Union, but also set the tone for overcoming decades of division.
“Since then three new members have joined our club; a testament to the continuing attraction of closer ties to the EU”, he added.
He said the 2014 celebration would also be a remarkable one as it marked the end of the five years of the Commission chaired by President Jose Manuel Barroso.
He said the EU is about values like solidarity and peace, for which it was awarded the 2012 Nobel Peace Prize.
Highlights of the celebrations include Europe Day Reception at the Head of EU Delegation to Ghana office, Cultural Events, musical concert at Alliance Francais, and workshops.
Source: GNA
