EU concludes partnership talks with Africa-Caribbean-Pacific countries
Dussey - Urpilainen - Photo EC
(BRUSSELS) - Talks on a Post-Cotonou Agreement between the EU and Africa-Caribbean-Pacific states formally concluded Friday, setting the political and economic cooperation framework for the next twenty years.
The EU's International Partnerships Commissioner Jutta Urpilainen and Togo's Foreign Minister Robert Dussey initialled the agreement.
"In tune with the new international realities and challenges, the Agreement is expected to be game-changing in strengthening the EU's bilateral relations with each individual OACP State and their respective regions," said the EU's chief negotiator Jutta Urpilainen, "positioning the OACPS-EU partnership as an international force to advance common ambitions on the global stage."
The Chief Negotiator of the OACPS Professor Robert Dussey, Togolese Minister of Foreign Affairs, also welcomed the final outcome: "By taking into account the concerns and expectations of the OACPS states, the new agreement constitutes a solid basis for further reinforcing the already strong relationship with the EU."
The Agreement, which will succeed the Cotonou Agreement once both sides complete their internal procedures for signature and conclusion, sets the scene for alliance-building and more coordinated actions on the world stage where the group's impact can be significant to tackle some of the most acute global challenges. Together, the EU and the members of the OACPS represent over 1.5 billion people and more than half of the seats at the United Nations.
The new Agreement substantially modernises the cooperation and extends the scope and scale of the EU and OACPS' ambitions to better address current and future challenges. Partners have raised their commitments in priority areas such as: human rights, democracy and governance, peace and security, human development which encompasses health, education and gender equality, as well as environmental sustainability, climate change, sustainable development and growth, and migration and mobility. The Agreement also includes a strong new regional focus and governance structure, tailored to each region's needs, a first in over forty years of collaboration.