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‘New momentum needed in trade talks’
New momentum is needed in UK-EU negotiations on their future relationship, both sides have said after high-level crunch talks.
Boris Johnson and Ursula von der Leyen spoke via video link after both sides said no major progress had been made towards a trade deal this year.
They said they would “work hard” to deliver a relationship and ratify a deal before the end of 2020.
Mrs. von der Leyen said they “agreed to deliver the best deal” for citizens.
The European Union (EU) also noted the UK’s decision not to extend the transition period, which ends in December.
In a joint statement issued after Monday’s meeting via video conference call, the UK and EU “welcomed the constructive discussions on the future relationship that had taken place”.
“The parties agreed nevertheless that new momentum was required,” it said.
They have agreed to intensify talks in July, and to find an “early understanding on the principles” underlying any deal.
The UK government has said the talks in July will involve a mix of formal negotiating rounds and smaller group meetings in London and Brussels, if coronavirus guidelines allow.
European Council President Charles Michel, who joined Mrs. von der Leyen on the call along with European Parliament President David-Maria Sassoli, said a “broad and ambitious agreement” was “in our mutual interest”.
During the call, the Prime Minister (PM) had been expected to urge “renewed energy” to reach a trade deal “by the end of the summer”, ahead of the end of the transition period in December.
Downing Street said he would reiterate that the UK’s ambition is for a high quality free trade agreement consistent with others the EU have agreed.
He was also due to make clear that the UK is ready to start trading on World Trade Organisation rules from January1 if a deal cannot be reached.
Earlier, the prime minister’s spokesman said the meeting was seen as a moment to “push negotiations forward” and Mr Johnson welcomed the fact that the EU had agreed to an “intensified timetable” of weekly talks throughout July.
MEP Nathalie Loiseau told BBC Radio 4’s Today programme: “We are ready either for an agreement or for a no-deal and we are getting prepared more actively to a no-deal considering the circumstances. -BBC
The Diaspora Affairs Office at the Office of the President has hosted a delegation of African diaspora women who are in Ghana ahead of a planned Presidential Conferment of Citizenship ceremony.
The Director of Diaspora Affairs, Kofi Okyere Darko, explained in a Facebook post that the visit was a gesture of appreciation by the delegation to the Government of Ghana for its continued efforts to reconnect Africans in the diaspora with their ancestral homeland.
He indicated that the ceremony, scheduled for next Monday, will officially grant Ghanaian citizenship to members of the delegation as part of the country’s broader engagement with the African diaspora.
The delegation was led by Erica Bennett, Founder of the Diaspora Africa Forum.
According to Mr Okyere Darko, her years of advocacy have played an important role in strengthening ties between Africa and people of African descent living abroad.
He noted that the group’s journey towards citizenship represents not only a legal process but also a cultural and spiritual return to their roots.
Also present at the meeting was Natalie Jackson, an attorney who is also expected to receive Ghanaian citizenship during the ceremony. She works closely with renowned civil rights lawyer Ben Crump.
Mr Okyere Darko emphasised that Ghana remains committed to strengthening relationships with the African diaspora and promoting unity, identity, and shared heritage among people of African descent worldwide.
By: Jacob Aggrey
Ghana has signed a debt restructuring agreement with the Kingdom of Belgium as part of efforts to restore the country’s economic stability after the financial crisis that hit the nation in 2022 and 2023.
The Minister of Finance, Cassiel Ato Forson, today disclosed that he signed the agreement on behalf of the Government of Ghana.
He explained that Ghana experienced a very difficult period during the crisis, which forced the government at the time to declare a debt default.
However, he indicated that the country is now recovering and witnessing a significant economic turnaround.
According to him, stronger systems are also being put in place to ensure that Ghana does not return to such a situation again.
Dr Forson noted that the agreement with Belgium is the eighth deal Ghana has concluded with countries under the Official Creditor Committee as part of its external debt restructuring programme.
He expressed appreciation to the Government of Belgium for its support and partnership with Ghana during the process.
The Finance Minister thanked Carole van Eyll, Ambassador of Belgium to Ghana, for her role in strengthening relations between the two countries.
The agreement forms part of Ghana’s broader effort to restructure its external debts and stabilise the economy following the crisis.
By: Jacob Aggrey
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