In an exclusive interview given to l’express during his stay in Mauritius, ambassador George Bullen, chairman of the ACP consultative group on sugar, explained the modus operandi of the European commission when it comes to negotiations. Even though the technocrats in Brussels so often reaffirm their belief in dialogue, they nevertheless act the other way round. “We do not know what to believe anymore. One day, they say something and the next day, they do something else,” he stated.

The Carribbean ambassador sounds sceptical, however, on the quick disbursement of funds scheduled for 2006, i.e a 40 million euros envelope given by the European commission. He said to l’express that, at this pace, ACP countries eligible would not be getting their shares during the third quarter of 2006, as convened.

The ACP countries, in a joint press release with NGO Oxfam last week, argued that at least 500 million euros will be necessary to enable them to adapt to the reform and develop a long-term sustainable sugar cane industry that will produce sugar, co-generate environment-friendly electricity and produce bio-fuels.

Luis Morago, from Oxfam, rightly pointed out: “Europe’s grand promises to help one of its key trading partners are fading away. After failing to address key concerns of ACP countries last year, the EU must urgently step up its efforts on offering much-needed compensation. The livelihood and development prospects of tens of thousands of poor sugar farmers are at stake.”