Mugabe back from Malabo

President Robert Mugabe has arrived back home from Malabo, Equatorial Guinea where he had attended the 7th African Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) grouping Summit of Heads of State and Government.

Mugabe  who was representing the Southern African region at the 7th summit of the Heads of State and Government of the ACP grouping was welcomed at the Harare International Airport by Vice President Joice Mujuru, service chiefs and other senior government officials.

In an interview in Malabo, President Mugabe said the summit was a success as it was able to reflect on the future of the ACP countries relations with the European Union after the expiry of the Cotonou Agreement in 2020.

Mugabe said it has become apparent that the European Union is reluctant to continue dealing with the grouping in its current form but wants to deal with the African Union, the Pacific grouping and the Caribbean bloc as individuals states though it was clear that delegates would want to remain a united front.

Mugabe said discussions also centred on the economic partnership agreements are still ongoing but said the ACP countries are calling for a review to ensure fair trade practises.

The summit which ended Friday saw the leaders calling for greater cooperation and intra-ACP trade to enhance socio-economic development in the 79-member grouping.

Equatorial Guinea took over the presidency of the grouping from Ghana which hosted the 6th summit in 2008.