The African Union Commission President Mr Jean Ping and Louis Michel the European Commissioner for Development and Humanitarian Aid have both praised the COMESA-SADC-EAC Tripartite decisions made in Kampala, particularly the idea of having one free Trade Area and Customs Union.

This was done at a special session exclusively dedicated to the African Regional Economic Communities held on 15th November 2008, at the Headquarter of European parliament in Strasbourg, France. Jean Ping was invited in his capacity as the President of the African Union Commission taking into account the fact these economic groupings are primarily building blocs for African Economic Community.

Mr Ping called upon other regional groupings particularly in West Africa to equally come up with a similar arrangements since this will facilitate the overall Africa’s integration.

Jean Ping also witnessed the signing ceremony between Louis Michel on behalf of the EC and Chief executives of the different African regional groupings of the 10th EDF. The overall objective of the 10th EDF resources are meant to support the regional integration agendas of the regional groupings to strengthen regional cooperation and support the integration of the region into the global economy.

Contributing to the debates the COMESA Secretary General Mr Sindiso Ngwenya, pointed out that Aid efficiency and Aid effectiveness need to review what takes place on the ground, so that if there are countries that are strong in specific areas are involved, he pointed out the need to directly involve the people on the ground. “ at the end it is people to people integration” he emphasized.

The 10th EDF, brings with it EURO 645 million envelope which will intervene in the following area: Regional Economic Integration, trade and EPA, regional sector policies, Regional Political Integration/Cooperation Agenda, as well as assist the region to tackle regional political problems in a coordinated manner, thus the praises showered to the Tripartite Summit as an example of a coordinated approach. The ceremony took place ahead of the European development days that took place form15th to 17th November 2008 at the home to the European Parliament, Strasbourg.

The European Development Days offered an informal and stimulating exchange of views between players whose opinions may differ, but who share the same commitment to realizing a dream: a world of peace and social progress.

People of different walks of life form Heads of States, administrations, local authorities, civil society, international organizations, parliaments, academics, think tanks, agencies, foundations, the private sector and the media held debates and compared best practices from different corners of the world. It was an open forum that brings together the whole development family.

The panelists and house contributors compared analyses, benchmarking results, making the most of diversity and creating synergy: By breaking down barriers between different actors, the European Development Days served as a natural platform for debating major issues of development cooperation and launching new initiatives.

The European Development Days, have been organized by the European Commission since 2006, constitutes a major event of the European agenda. Each year they bring together 3000 participants from around the globe, representing more than 1200 organizations of the development family.