ACP/EU

ACP/EU in Addis Ababa, February 2004

The 7th Joint Parliamentary Assembly was held in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, from 16th to 19th February 2004. The Assembly examined reports on:

- Economic Partnership Agreements,
- Conflict Prevention and Resolution, and the establishment of a lasting peace,
- Poverty Diseases and Reproductive Health in ACP Countries.

John Bowis took a particular interest in the report on Poverty Diseases and also raised the condition epilepsy with the European Commissioner Nielson:

· Epilepsy affects well over 4 million people in Africa and up to 80% of people with epilepsy receive no treatment at all, while 70% of them could lead normal lives if properly treated;

· The cost of basic anti-epileptic drugs such as phenobarbitone, can control seizures effectively for a large majority, at the affordable cost of about €5 per person per annum;

· Myths and superstition surround epilepsy in many countries with the consequence that people feel stigmatized and do not seek medical help.

John asked the Commission to work with the ACP countries and the WHO to ensure that cost-effective anti-epilepic drugs are made available throughout ACP countries and to ensure that there is adequate information and education to persuade people to come forward for medical advice. Click here for the Commission's response.

John was able to question the Ethiopian Prime Minister Meles Zenwai about the border dispute with Eritrea, pointing out that the $180 million a year, contributed by the outside world to police this could be better spent on Ethiopian's desperate need for food, water and shelter.

John also visited projects for AIDS orphans (Sisters of Mother Theresa) and the Fistula hospital, subsequently meeting the Ethiopian Health Minister to discuss health issues. He also visited the Ethiopian Office of Human Rights to hear and discuss allegations of human rights abuses in various parts of the country.