Maarjana Sall says European Union is fully committed in supporting Mauritian economy by attracting investors in high valueadded sectors and in contributing to meet objectives of the Mauritian National Export strategy.

Emmanuel Macron is the new French President. It’s certainly reassuring for Europe…?

The French presidential elections were an important event for Europe. I am happy that the French citizens have chosen a pro-European future.

With the elections scheduled for September in Germany, how do you see the France-Germany relations?

Well, the first thing to note is that the two main candidates for the federal elections are pro-European. I think it is positive that the newly elected French President, Emmanuel Macron, made his first official visit to Germany to meet with the Chancellor. In their joint press conference, they both pledged to draw up a «common road map» for Europe. We need a strong Europe to face global challenges at all levels, be it economic, social, security or climate-related. This is a message that leaders from the 27 member states conveyed in the Rome Declaration on 25 March, to mark the 60 years of the signature of the Treaty of Rome.

Are you optimistic for Europe as an economic power?

Absolutely. The European Union (EU) is the world’s largest trading block. It is the top trading partner for 80 countries and also the world’s largest source and destination of foreign direct investment. As for Africa, the EU is the continent’s largest trading partner and the highest source of Foreign Direct Investment for Africa. Together with its member states, the EU is the world’s largest aid donor provider of humanitarian aid.

Can a country afford to leave the Euro zone today? What has it achieved?

There are 19 member states in the Euro zone. It is remarkable that each day, the Euro is used by over 300 million people. For instance, European citizens don’t need to exchange currencies when travelling in the euro area. The euro is also the second most used currency in the world. It is true that some European citizens are disappointed that Euro has not given more of a boost to their own wellbeing.

It is in this context that the European Commission will soon present a reflection paper on deepening the Economic and Monetary Union. This paper is part of the larger reflection that the EU has launched on the Future of Europe…

We have had, in the meantime, Brexit… I regret the decision of the UK but I respect it. It is the wish of the majority of the British people. As you know, on 29 March 2017, UK triggered Article 50 of the Lisbon Treaty. The negotiations on the orderly withdrawal must be completed within a period of two years from the moment Article 50 is triggered. Following the general elections in the UK on 8 June, negotiations will start when the UK is ready. Until the negotiations are completed, UK remains a member  of the EU.

Now that Brexit is a reality and that the impacts will be felt by smaller member states like ours, can Mauritius expect some help from the EU?

I know that there are many questions about the impact of the Brexit on our long term partnership with Mauritius. The ongoing programme that the EU supports in Mauritius will continue as agreed with the Government. The bilateral programme has been agreed until 2020. As to our support post-2020, it is too early to say anything about that.

How would you assess today the EU-Mauritius partnership?

The European Union and Mauritius have longstanding relations. The EU has provided more than 300 million euros during the past seven years in support of the social and economic reforms of the Government of Mauritius. A large part of these funds have been allocated to the sugar sector reform programme. Although Mauritius has attained the upper middle income status, the EU continues to provide grant funds to the country.

For the bilateral programme up to 2020 we have decided, together with the government, that it will focus on two sectors, namely tertiary education and research and innovation. We feel these are the sectors that can add value and help Mauritius to make the leap to the high income economy status. EU is the largest export market for Mauritius, with over 47 % of the country’s total exports.

Mauritian sugar sector will once again be at stake with the abolition of sugar quota in 2017. Can we expect further support from the EU to enhance the competitiveness of its sugar sector?

The EU has supported the economic and social reform programme of the government of Mauritius. Our funding has played an important role in reforming the sector and making it more competitive in the world market. I believe the sugar sector is better off now than it was some years back and has greatly diversified.

Do you think EPA Implementation Plans can take on board the Africa Strategy and the National Export Strategy of Mauritius?

Of course. We see in fact a strong alignment of the Economic Partnership Agreements (EPA) Implementation Plans with the Africa Strategy and the National Export Strategy of Mauritius. The EPA implementation plan can support both strategies. I believe that the impact and the success of the EPA need to be fully exploited in Mauritius.

It is to be noted that if Mauritius had not negotiated this agreement, the country would have now faced high tariffs and would have lost much on its competitiveness. EPA is a fundamental element allowing Mauritius to fully benefit from the opportunities of the EU market.