Europe to start negotiations on new trading agreement with ACP countries

Jun 23, 2018 News

Yesterday, the European Commission received authorisation from the European Council to open negotiations for a new partnership agreement with countries in Africa, the Caribbean and the Pacific (ACP).
“The European Commission welcomes the Council’s decision allowing it to launch the negotiations with the ACP group of states in the coming weeks. The existing framework, known as the Cotonou agreement, is due to expire in February 2020.”
According to the European Commission, in a statement, on the occasion, Commissioner for International Cooperation and Development, Neven Mimica, said that it is the intention to embark on a modern and dynamic partnership with partners in Africa, the Caribbean and the Pacific.
: This new partnership will be a powerful tool to jointly tackle global challenges – from fighting poverty and inequality to peace and security, from climate change to sustainable growth for all.”
The key objectives of the negotiations include securing a new legally, binding framework adapted to today’s realities based on a modern and forward-looking agenda.
It is also the intention to explore new ways to achieve key interests and better address global challenges, such as inclusive growth, investment, job creation, sustainable development, peace, security and migration issues, human development, fundamental freedoms, human rights, rule of law and democratic principles.
“…to build a powerful alliance in international fora, as the EU and ACP countries represent more than half of the UN membership.”
The EU-ACP partnership is one of the oldest and most comprehensive legally binding frameworks of cooperation the EU has with third countries.
“Uniting more than one hundred countries and over 1.5 billion people, the Cotonou Agreement is set to expire in February 2020. Its provisions foresee the opening of negotiations on a future partnership by August 2018 at the latest,” the European Commission said.
The agreement sets out how ACP countries do business with Europe.

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