Brussels dawn

It was dawn in Brussels on 9 December when ministers from the European Union and the African, Caribbean, Pacific (ACP) nations wearily ended their negotiations. They had failed to agree on a text to replace the latest Lomé Convention, which expires at the end of February. They must meet again, probably in January, to wind everything up. The European Commission (especially its newer members) has grown less keen on favouring former colonies; new Development Commissioner Poul Neilsen (Denmark) seemed confused by journalists' detailed questions.

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