President John Dramani Mahama has appealed to the European Union (EU) to release a multi-donor budget support of 64 million euros it pledged to Ghana.
At a meeting with the President of the European Commission, Mr Jose Manuel Barroso, in Brussels, Belgium, on Monday, President Mahama said the disbursement of the money to Ghana had delayed.
Discussions held between President Mahama and the EU President were aimed at deepening relations between Ghana and the EU.
Responding, Mr Barroso stated that the EU would continue to strengthen its relations with Ghana in a win-win-situation.
He underscored the need for a sustained effort to address the country’s short-term fiscal challenges.
Mr Barroso also congratulated President Mahama on his election as the Chairman of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) at the just-ended ECOWAS Summit in Yamoussoukro, Cote d’Ivoire.
The election of Mr Mahama, the EU boss said, was good news for West Africa and its relations with the EU.
The two leaders also discussed the Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) being negotiated between the EU and ECOWAS.
President Mahama called on the EU to demonstrate flexibility in the negotiations in order not to disrupt trade between Ghana or West Africa and Europe in the interim.
Another issue that came up during the discussion was the situation in Mali and the contribution of the EU in that country.
The two leaders also took time to exchange views on the upcoming election in Guinea-Bissau, especially how the process could be carried out peacefully.
