Ghana, EU hold political dialogue

Accra, June 2, GNA - Ghana and the European Union (EU) on Thursday m= et under the framework of the political dialogue defined in the Cotonou Agreement. Vice President John Dramani Mahama accompanied by some members of Cabinet met with the European Union Ambassador to Ghana, Mr Claude Maerten, and eight EU Member States Ambassadors based in Accra. The meeting allowed them to take stock of issues of mutual interest occurring both in Europe and Ghana.

A statement issued by the EU in Accra said the two sides agreed on a more informal setup in order to talk about political and economic views in the context of a renewed partnership. "The participation of eight Ambassadors of the European Union Member States resident in Ghana 96 in addition to the EU Ambassador, and representatives of different Ministries ensured that exchanges remained diverse and addressed major themes of political cooperation between Ghana and the EU." On the side of the Government were, the Minister of Foreign Affairs an= d Regional Integration, Alhaji Muhammad Mumuni and Minister of Trade and Industry, Ms. Hanna Tetteh.

The Ambassadors at the meeting represented The Czech Republic, Denmark= , France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Spain and the UK. The last meeting (political dialogue) in October 2010 was more formal and technical and focussed on many different issues which were then dealt with by the relevant Ministries, Departments and Agencies of the Government of Ghana and by the European Union Delegation to Ghana. 2