Herziening van de Cotonou-overeenkomst (en)

Ministerial Negotiations on the revision of the Cotonou-Agreement between the EU and 77 countries from Africa, the Carribean and the Pacific were concluded successfully yesterday night.

Following the launch of the negotiations at the ACP-EU Council of Ministers in Gaborone in May 2004, the ministers succeeded yesterday night at the Justus Lipsius building in Brussels to conclude the negotiations on the revision of the Cotonou agreement.

European Commission President José Barroso i welcomed the agreement saying: "Poverty reduction is at the heart of these Agreements with countries from Africa, Caribbean and the Pacific; they are a vital spur to development. This agreement is an important step in strengthening the efficiency and quality our partnership with ACP countries. This is a balanced package. It has financing which aims to be sustainable over the long term and stronger security and human rights provisions. These partnership agreements are an important building block for strong and durable development".

The Commissioner for Development and Humanitarian Aid, Louis Michel i said: "This agreement represents a substantial breakthrough. It ensures the continuation of our co-operation with ACP countries with financial support that is sustainable and that incorporates important aspects in terms of security, non-proliferation and co-operation with the CPI."

This agreement establishes a threshold of the financing for the FED which is equivalent to that for the ninth FED increased for inflation, for growth and the effect of the enlargement of 10 new Member States.

The outstanding issues under debate included the negotiations on a new financial protocol, a reference to the non-proliferation of weapons of mass destruction and to the International Criminal Court and procedural issues. A number of other political issues could already be agreed at earlier meetings. These include an agreement to cooperate in the fight against terrorism and in the prevention of mercenary activities, and to improve political dialogue.

Throughout the revision process, the overarching aim has been to improve the efficiency and to strengthen the quality of the partnership while preserving the fundamental acquis of the Cotonou Agreement.

Context

The agreement of Cotonou links the EU and 77 countries in Africa, the Carribean and the Pacific. It was signed on 23 June 2000 at Cotonou in Bénin. The Cotonou Agreement focuses on poverty reduction as its principal objective, to be achieved through political dialogue, development aid and closer economic and trade cooperation.

The revision process took place in accordance with Article 95 of the Cotonou agreement which provides for a revision clause allowing the Agreement to be adapted every 5 years (with the exception of the provisions on economic cooperation and trade which are subject to a separate procedure). At the end of February 2004, ACP and EU partners notified the provisions each party wished to revise.