Written by Eric Pichon.
What is at stake?
The Cotonou Agreement is the widest and most comprehensive binding partnership agreement between the EU and third countries: it connects one-fifth of the world’s population and covers trade, development and political cooperation between the EU and 78 countries in Africa, the Caribbean and the Pacific (ACP). Signed in 2000, it was set to expire after twenty years. However, it has been extended several times (currently until 30 June 2023) to offer the possibility of setting up a new agreement. After a long and challenging negotiation process, which was also affected by the COVID‑19 pandemic, the chief negotiators have proposed a new and improved agreement. It reflects the changes and challenges that have emerged since 2000 and is expected to shape the future of EU-ACP relations.
What is new in the future agreement?
The ACP Group of States became an international organisation in April 2020: the Organisation of ACP States (OACPS). The new legal framework for EU relations with the current 79 OACPS members will therefore be the ‘OACPS-EU Partnership Agreement’. However, it is likely that the final name will be something more catchy, perhaps based on the location of the official signature – maybe ‘Samoa’.
There will also be a new structure for the agreement, with a ‘foundation’ that defines the ACP and EU common values and interests, such as democracy, human rights, sustainable development and climate action. On top of that, three separate regional pillars for Africa, the Caribbean and the Pacific will focus on their specific needs and priorities. For example, the African pillar will deal with issues such as peace and stability, democracy and good governance, economic and human development, migration and mobility, and climate change. The Caribbean pillar will emphasise regional integration and disaster resilience. The Pacific pillar will highlight the maritime dimension of the partnership. The new agreement will also be more flexible, allowing for different levels of action (continental, regional, national) and different types of cooperation (political dialogue, development assistance, trade arrangements), depending on each context.
How does the European Parliament fit in?
The partnership is more than just a formal agreement. It is a living collaboration between the two sides. To make this happen, the partnership has a solid institutional framework that involves representatives from both sides at different levels: ministers, ambassadors, and parliamentarians.
The Joint Parliamentary Assembly (JPA) is a key part of this framework. It brings together 78 Members of the European Parliament and 78 members of ACP countries’ parliaments.[1] They meet twice a year, once in the ACP and once in the EU, to discuss fair and sustainable development, security, climate, youth employment, gender equality, human rights, or any topic of common concern. They adopt resolutions that provide jointly agreed positions on these important issues.
What is on the agenda in June?
The next plenary session will take place in Brussels (26‑28 June 2023), where JPA members will debate on timely topics such as hybrid threats, the reform of the United Nations Security Council, the humanitarian situation in countries affected by terrorism, and the situation in Haiti.
The plenary session will also feature debates with Jutta Urpilainen, the European Commissioner for international partnerships, with Johan Forssell, Development Minister of Sweden, Alan Ganoo, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Mauritius – the two countries respectively preside the EU and OACPS Councils – and with the European Economic and Social Committee.
The Joint Parliamentary Assembly organises additional events during its plenary weeks. In June 2023 a Youth Forum and a Women’s Forum will take place, where participants from both sides will exchange views and ideas, as well as a seminar on the best practices to fight disinformation.
In addition, the Development Committee of the European Parliament has invited the JPA members to join a public hearing on helping developing countries deal with their debt issues.
What is next?
The European Parliament fought hard to keep the Joint Parliamentary Assembly in the future partnership, and it succeeded. The future agreement not only preserves the Joint Parliamentary Assembly but also creates three joint assemblies for EU relations with respectively, Africa, the Caribbean and the Pacific. These assemblies will allow for more focused and tailored cooperation at the regional level. The European Parliament’s ACP unit has worked with JPA Bureau Members from both sides on drafting the rules of procedures for the four future assemblies. These draft rules will be presented and be put to a vote during the JPA plenary session in June 2023.
Parliament and the JPA are eagerly waiting for the future partnership to come into force. They hope that the remaining obstacles will be overcome soon, for the Council to give its green light, and that there will be no delay in this crucial step.
Want to know more?
After Cotonou: Towards a new agreement with the African, Caribbean and Pacific states, International Agreements in Progress Briefing, EPRS, April 2023
Check the Legislative train Schedule for updates on the state of play of the proposed future agreement.
Visit the Joint Parliamentary Assembly website.
[1] The OACPs has 79 members but Cuba is not party to the Cotonou Agreement. South Africa decided to leave the OACPS as of 2 September 2022 and will not participate in the future agreement. The Maldives became a full member of the OACPS on 10 December 2022.
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