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Mr. Anathassios Theodorakis, Deputy Director-General for Development, European Commission
THE FIRST ANNUAL AFRICA GOVERNANCE FORUM
11-12 July 1997
Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

Calling attention to the principle of partnership between the European Union and its African-Caribbean-Pacific partners, Mr. Athanassios Theodorakis, Deputy Director-General for Development of the European Commission, stated that the EC had explicitly enshrined such ideas in the 1995 revision of the Lome Convention. These last decades had clearly shown that sustainable human development could not take place without an institutional and political environment respectful of human rights, of democratic principles and the rule of law. Such a link not only concerns the exercise of power; it concerns, in a more general way, the management of the entire resources of a country. Democratic principles and the rule of law, as well as respect for human rights, had now become an "essential element" of the Lome Convention, enhanced by the dialogue among the parties. This strengthening of the ACP/CE partnership by the addition of a political and institutional dimension was also reflected in the provision of additional funds aimed specifically at these areas. In this connection, individual programmes are currently in hand or in preparation in more than 30 countries.

The European Union is committed, he stated, to promoting cooperation with its African partners in the areas of sound public management and would extend the scope of its actions on the basis of a sincere dialogue of complementary and joint responsibility.