Without the eradication of poverty, there is no future in Africa

Without the eradication of poverty and establishment of security we can talk about human rights and democracy only in a very limited form in Africa – said MEP György Hölvényi, Coordinator for EPP Group, at a meeting of the European Parliament’s monitoring group on the negotiations on the new partnership agreement between the African, Caribbean and Pacific States (ACP) and the European Union.

The Fidesz-KDNP MEP emphasized: “In the current international atmosphere it is even more important that the cooperation between the African, Caribbean and Pacific States (ACP) and the European Union focuses on the most fundamental needs, the eradication of poverty, and the establishment of security.” He added, “Our common vision for the future must be based on these elements, because without these foundations we can speak about democracy and human rights only in a very limited form.”

At the same time MEP György Hölvényi underlined: In the field of respecting human rights, a lot of progress was taken by our partner countries. Of course, there are a plenty of areas where more progress is needed but in order to reach it mutual understanding and cooperation is essential. He pointed out that the EU must give the time and space to Africa and in general to the developing countries in order to establish their own identity and represent their own interests in the international fora with due force. The MEP stated that equality of partnership also means the acknowledgement of above, giving seventy-nine African, Caribbean and Pacific partner countries the opportunity to represent their own national interests.

The politician underlined that without strengthening mutual trust and understanding, there is no possibility for common response to global challenges, especially in the light of the current epidemic.

MEP Hölvényi stressed that the cooperation must be based on the eradication of poverty and famine and the establishment of security.