ACP sides with Suriname on parliamentary assembly with EU

(de Ware Tijd) THE HAGUE – The African, Caribbean and Pacific countries forming the ACP have proclaimed their solidarity with Suriname on the issue of the Joint Parliamentary Assembly (JPA).

Suriname was appointed to host the 24th JPA in November, but if the European legislators refuse to come to Suriname the event will not take place. Co-presidents Louis Michel and Musikari Kombo have been given specific instructions on the ACP stance for their meeting with EU legislators.

Tomorrow, the ACP and EU legislators will meet in Horsens Denmark for the 23rd JPA when the issue will be tabled. The European Parliament will then officially declare its stance on holding the 24th JPA in Suriname.  The EU had proposed moving the meeting to another Caribbean country, but the ACP has taken a hard stance stating that it is either Suriname or no meeting.

Nieuw Front legislator Asiskumar Gajadien tells de Ware Tijd that the ACP have a unified stance in this matter. Parmessar, who heads the Surinamese delegation, confirms the ACP solidarity. He refrains from a reaction though since the EU has not taken a formal stance yet. ‘But the ACP is ready for them,’ says Parmessar. Gajadien claims that by adopting the Amnesty Act Suriname has been put to shame. ‘I don’t want to get ahead of things, but I don’t think any of the parties will back down, so the JPA will not take place.’

The legislator says the decision to suspend the JPA will not only affect the coalition but the entire country. ‘The hotel and catering industry, taxis, tourism and many other sectors stood to benefit from this meeting. It’s a pity things have come to this.’

Gajadien stresses that the opposition has in no way influenced the decision of the European legislators. He blames it all on adoption of the Amnesty Act. If parties fail to find a solution to the problem on Sunday, a final decision will be taken on Wednesday during the plenary session when the 23rd JPA comes to an end. Parmessar says that when the ACP learnt from informal sources of the EU’s and Dutch plans they met and discussed strategies. ‘We from the ACP have brains too to strategize and analyze,’ Parmessar says mockingly.