The Cotonou Agreement

The Cotonou Agreement was the most comprehensive partnership agreement between 78 developing countries and the EU. Since 2000, it has been the framework for the EU's relations with 79 countries from Africa, the Caribbean and the Pacific (ACP). In March 2010, the European Commission and the African Caribbean Pacific group concluded the second revision of the Cotonou Partnership Agreement following a first revision in 2001. ACP-EU cooperation was adapted to new challenges, such as climate change, food security, regional integration, State fragility and aid effectiveness.

The Cotonou Agreement, was set to expire in 2020. Since its inception in 2000, major changes had occurred and new issues had emerged, requiring a broader approach. A debate began as to its future.

• Primary Source

Website: The African, Caribbean and Pacific Group of States (ACP) http://www.acp.int/

Wikipedia: Cotonou Agreement http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cotonou_Agreement

EUR-Lex: Summaries of EU Legislation: Cotonou Agreement http://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=LEGISSUM:r12101

European Commission: The Cotonou Agreement ... and Multinational Financial Framework 2014-2020 (EU, 2014) http://www.europarl.europa.eu/intcoop/acp/03_01/pdf/mn3012634_en.pdf

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