Africa-Press – Mauritius. The economic, financial and social impacts of global crises; governance, rule of law and human rights; peace and stability; digital economy; health resilience; food security and sovereignty; biotechnology and pharmaceutics; climate change; maritime security; and the circular economy, were some of the main issues of mutual concern discussed during the 9th Political Dialogue between the Government of Mauritius and the European Union (EU) which opened, this morning, at the Westin Turtle Bay Resort & Spa in Balaclava.
The Political Dialogue, an essential element of the EU-Mauritius overall framework of cooperation, was co-chaired by the Minister of Land Transport and Light Rail, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Regional Integration and International Trade, Mr Alan Ganoo, and the Ambassador of the EU to Mauritius, Mr Vincent Degert.
The Minister of Social Integration, Social Security and National Solidarity, Mrs Fazila Jeewa-Daureeawoo; the Minister of Financial Services and Good Governance, Mr Mahen Kumar Seeruttun; the Attorney General, Minister of Agro-Industry and Food Security, Mr Maneesh Gobin; the Minister of Blue Economy, Marine Resources, Fisheries and Shipping, Mr Sudheer Maudhoo; the Minister of Gender Equality and Family Welfare, Mrs Kalpana Devi Koonjoo-Shah; the Secretary for Home Affairs, Mr Om Kumar Dabidin; and the Secretary for Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Haymandoyal Dillum, were present.
Representatives from 10 EU Member States were also in attendance. In his address, Minister Ganoo highlighted that discussions of the present meeting are taking place against the backdrop of multiple global crises and challenges related to health systems (COVID-19 pandemic and Monkeypox), food shortages, energy crisis, new weather extremes, fossil fuel price spikes, and the rising cost of living with a war at the doorstep of Europe.
According to him, the two years of the COVID-19 pandemic have taught us all how much today’s issues are global and inter-related. ‘From fighting the virus to addressing climate change or securing supply chains, the pandemic has accelerated our awareness of our common destiny’, he emphasised.
Speaking about Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, the Minister remarked that this has not only triggered large-scale humanitarian, migration and refugee crises, but has also added downside risks to the global economy that is still dealing with the pandemic and its sheer unpredictability.
The global situation, he cautioned, is still gloomy. Referring to the World Trade Organization’s 2022/23 Trade Forecast, Mr Ganoo said that prospects for the global economy have darkened since the war started on 24 February.
It is therefore imperative that we engage as partners in finding ways and means of addressing such issues which are having far reaching implications for our planet and future generations, he exhorted.
In addition, the Minister observed that the current global situation has however showed us that we humans can be resilient in times of need, in unity and solidarity. The necessity to consolidate and forge strong partnerships are evident, he stated.
He, on that note, lauded the long-standing collaboration between Mauritius and the EU which has evolved over time within the ambit of the Cotonou Partnership Agreement since 2000 till date.
The EU, he revelled, has been closely associated to the development and diversification of Mauritius’s economy. The EU, Mr Ganoo further underscored, is the most important development partner of Mauritius and the only one providing direct budgetary support to the country.
The EU remains the most important market for Mauritius, accounting for approximately 70% of the country’s export, he shared. Moreover, the ACP-EU Partnership Agreement remains a vital instrument in our quest to reduce poverty and contribute to sustainable development, he added.
As for EU Ambassador Degert, he reaffirmed the strategic partnership that exists between the EU and Mauritius and recalled that 2022 has been marked by four major success stories in this partnership.
These are: the successful response to the coronavirus pandemic and to other health-related challenges; the removal of Mauritius from the Financial Action Task Force and EU’s lists; the designation of Mauritius as a cybersecurity hub for the region; and the promotion of Mauritius as a green destination.
The Ambassador also reiterated the commitment of the EU to be a reliable partner for Mauritius in promoting peace and security, sustainable economic development, human rights for all and in advocating for strong and consistent climate action.
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