THE POST-COTONOU IS REALITY

The negotiations started in 2018 and concluded on April 15, which led to the signing of a new partnership agreement between the EU and 79 of African, the Caribbean and Pacific countries and which, once in force, will affect 1.5 billion people and more 50% of the UN seats.

countries, provisionally extended until November 30, 2021, now has a new and stronger legal basis, which makes it possible to overcome the issues related to the Cotonou Agreement, signed in 2000. If by that date the parties complete their internal approval procedures (the EU one, Commission proposal, Parliament’s approval, the Council’s signature, is expected in the second half of this year), the new agreement may enter into force even before November 30. A concerted multilateral approach has been the key to addressing the new global challenges that arose after 2000: a new regional dimension and a governance structure by region, the sharing of values and principles, the identification of priority strategic sector, such as human rights and democracy, human and social development, environmental sustainability, inclusive and sustainable economic growth and development, migration and mobility. Once in force, the agreement will not replace existing EPAs, limiting Itself to ensuring legal link with them.