EU-ACP relations: Beyond the Cotonou Agreement

The EU and the African, Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) states are debating a new framework agreement to cover aid, economic relations and social development.

Their current partnership is framed by the Cotonou Agreement, named after the largest city in Benin, which is due to expire in 2020. Negotiations over a future framework are expected to start in August 2018, and they will provide an opportunity to rejuvenate the relationship.

“It an exciting time for the relationship,” said Yentyl Williams, President and Founder of the African Caribbean and Pacific Young Professionals Network. “It could change fundamentally or it might not change at all.”

In the following video, Yentyl Williams reflects on the future of the Cotonou Agreement:

In the long term, ACP countries should no longer need aid, and their most important partners could be in their own regions. “It is important not to have aid as something that will be there for perpetuity,” said Teresa Ribeiro, Portugal’s Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs and Cooperation. “It should be part of a system of development and not create a system of dependence. Regional integration is decisive for the development of the countries.”

Teresa Ribeiro on why the Cotonou Agreement has proven to be a “success” (in French):

When the EU decides to help developing countries, it needs to focus on those countries’ points of view. “Something we can learn from north-south cooperation is: Don’t substitute the interests of the countries,” said Rebeca Grynspan, Secretary General of the Ibero-American Conference. “It’s not your agenda; it is the country’s agenda. And when you do that you will be more relevant. Don’t think that there is only one path for development.”

That implies plenty of dialogue. “You have to have a conversation. You have to understand how to adapt to the conditions, the history, the institutionality of the country you want to help,” she said. “From south-south cooperation to north-south cooperation, I think that I would say it is very important to maintain the ownership of the country.”

Rebeca Grynspan on South-South cooperation:

Brexit could have a big impact on relations between the EU and ACP countries, as their historic partner in Europe has been the UK. “It challenges ACP countries to go beyond trading with their traditional partner, which in this case is the UK,” said Williams. “If you want to have a trade agreement with the EU, well why don’t you access all the EU markets? Why have you remained so strongly linked to your former colonial power?”

Yentyl Williams on the impact of Brexit on ACP trade and development with the EU:

This collaborative piece was drafted by Sebastian Moffett