THE COURIER, SPECIAL ISSUE NEW EDITION (N.E.) Editorial Staff Director and Editor-In-Chief Hegel Goutier

The SPECIAL ISSUE C urierMARCH 2008 The magazine of Africa - Caribbean - Pacific & European Union cooperation and relations

50 years of ACP-EU Cooperation

Not for sale ISSN 1784-682X SPECIAL ISSUE N.E. - MARCH 2008 CThe urier The The magazine of Africa - Caribbean - Pacific & European Union cooperation and relations C urier Editorial Committee Co-presidents the magazine of africa - caribbean - pacific & european union development cooperation Sir John Kaputin, Secretary General Secretariat of the African, Caribbean and Pacific Group of States www.acp.int

Mr Stefano Manservisi, Director General of DG Development European Commission ec.europa.eu/development/ Table of contents THE COURIER, SPECIAL ISSUE NEW EDITION (N.E.) Editorial staff Director and Editor-in-chief Hegel Goutier

Contributors François Misser (Deputy Editor-in-chief), OPENER RESULTS Debra Percival 19 Editorial Assistant and Production Development and relations with the ACP States: Success stories Joshua Massarenti Europe in action for 50 years 2 Science and technology: Contributed in this issue Cooperation on the road to emancipation 21 Marie-Martine Buckens EU’s 50th birthday: 3 Congratulations from the ACP Trade protocols and EPAs 23 Public Relations and Artistic coordination Public Relations Andrea Marchesini Reggiani (Public Relations Manager and Responsible for EDITORIAL NGOs’ and experts’ network) EXTENDING COOPERATION Joan Ruiz Valero (Responsible for Networking with EU and National Institutions) The need for Cotonou 4 EPAs: Trade for regional growth Artistic Coordination Sandra Federici and prosperity 24 HISTORY Graphic Conception, Layout Our privileged WTO dialogue 24 Orazio Metello Orsini Unique in the world: Arketipa partner, the 50 years of north-south cooperation 5 Contract Manager OUTLOOK Claudia Rechten ESPACE SENGHOR Georgetown: Tracey D’Afters The foundation of the ACP group 10 The future of ACP-EU cooperation 25 ultural centre promoting artists C from countries in Europe, ACP-EU Cooperation: Milestone events 11 Country strategy papers launch 10th edition Cover Africa, the Caribbean and the of development budget 27 Design by Arketipa Pacific, and cultural exchanges between communities through per- WHO DOES WHAT formance arts, music, cinema, to the holding conferences. It is a AT A GLANCE The institutions of ACP-EU cooperation 15 meeting place for Belgians, immi- grants of diverse origins and The ACP-EU Agreements 28 Non-State actors – bigger players in Cotonou 17 Contact European officials. The Courier 45, Rue de Trèves Espace Senghor An ACP Civil Society Forum on track 1040 Brussels Centre culturel d’Etterbeek for political recognition 18 Belgium (EU) Brussels, Belgium [email protected] www.acp-eucourier.info [email protected] Tel : +32 2 2374392 www.senghor.be Fax : +32 2 2801406

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For information on subscription, go to our website www.acp-eucourier.info or contact [email protected] he satirical vignettes and illustra- Ttions presented in this issue (P. 3, 9, Publisher responsible 18, 25, 26 and 27) where realised by Hegel Goutier European and African cartoonists that Consortium have been invited to represent the Gopa-Cartermill - Grand Angle - Lai-momo European Union's Charter of Fundamental Rights in the project The views expressed are those of the authors and do not represent the official view of the EC Manifesta! (www.manifestaproject.eu), nor of the ACP countries.. realised by Africa e Mediterraneo asso- The consortium and the editorial staff decline all responsibility for the articles written by exter- ciation. nal contributors. Occhiello

Opener Opener

* Bernard Petit * Jacques Obia Development and relations with the ACP States: TH Europe in action EU’S 50 BIRTHDAY: for 50 years Congratulations from the ACP

n addition to being an area of solidarity millions of people have benefited from this light of the partnership’s key principle. Signed n behalf of the ACP States, I take Giorgio Sommacal, Untitled, 2007, within its own borders (i.e. regarding development cooperation policy and its in the year 2000, the Cotonou Agreement is this opportunity to congratulate Manifesta! regional and social support, cohesion poli- schemes to, for example, combat hunger, pro- based upon this idea, consolidated by the adop- the European Union (EU) on its © Africa e Mediterraneo cy), the European Union is leading the way vide access to water, and build schools and hos- tion of the European Consensus on 50th anniversary as a political Iin promoting international solidarity, particular- pitals. All of these initiatives are a reflection of Development which was adopted in 2005. This Oand economic entity. Since the Treaty of ly in the case of the African, Caribbean and the values that are the essence of the European Consensus meant that a European vision (of Rome was signed on 25 March 1957, the EU Pacific (ACP) States. enterprise: solidarity, respect for human rights Member States and the European Commission) – the most successful regional integration and the rule of law. was defined, based on shared values, joint goals process ever attempted – has become a major This cooperation policy with the poorest coun- and principles, and greatly increased resources. player in world politics and an indispensable tries of the world was launched 50 years ago at After 50 years, now is the time to make an development partner of many developing a time when Europe’s founding fathers were assessment, draw lessons and look towards The keys for development are to be found in an countries. adamant about promoting peace and prosperity the future. array of policies focused on governance, in the interest of overall stability. Consequently, accountability and the adoption of an effective National interests do drive the policy initia- The assessment is that millions of lives have aid system, sector-specific strategies and trade. tives of individual countries. However, the been saved, people are living in a more digni- The key component of development is good success and endurance of the EU has shown fied way and economies are developing, prima- governance and the ACP States can count on that both national and collective interests in rily thanks to Europe. The EU is the world’s firm European Commission support and further an integrative setting need not be mutually leading aid donor and the economic operator aid incentives to encourage them to commit to exclusive. Therein lies a characteristic of the offering the widest market access to poor coun- this approach. Good governance is of funda- EU which demonstrates that unity in diversi- tries. However, this has not been enough to mental importance; the States need to guarantee ty is possible. This is an invaluable lesson for eliminate poverty in the world. Poverty is the each citizen impartial access to courts, adminis- the 79-member ACP Group, given its size scourge of the 21st century. tration, health, education and the opportunity and far-flung geographical locations around to enjoy fundamental freedoms. the world. The lessons are many Jacques Obia. © EC Photo Library and have led to rela- The way forward for the development The European Union has maintained its com- The ACP Group agrees that the Economic tions with the ACP process will be in our ability to take on mitments to the ACP States. This is remark- Partnership Agreements can be effective and States being recast in the board all the major problems in the same able considering the challenges that it has to efficient tools to achieve this objective, espe- spirit: globalisation, climate change, face as it expands its bloc boundaries, con- cially if they were truly development-oriented. energy access, migration management fronts new trading arrangements at home and To do so needs a strong and permanent political and a knowledge-based society. abroad, and attempts to cope with emerging impetus. The ACP Group is confident that this sociopolitical challenges in a globalizing underlying political commitment is shared by The European Commission believes world. The 10th European Development both the ACP and the EU, and will continue to that development is dependent upon a Fund is one of the latest illustrations of the be the main framework to steady our rich and dialogue between partners in a bid to EU’s willingness to sustain development dynamic partnership. meet all the challenges of a globalised world. If endeavours for the ACP States. the problems of poor countries are overlooked Once more, a happy 50th birthday to the today, the problems of security, health and the This is in full compliance with one of the European Union!

economy will be intensified tomorrow because goals of the ACP Group which is to ensure Page 2 all regions of the world are now interdependent. the realisation of the objectives of the ACP- * Dean of the African, Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) Committee of Ambassadors and Ambassador of the Bernard Petit. © EC Photo Library EC Partnership Agreements, and in particu- Republic of Congo. This is Europe’s message for the future: taking lar, aim for the eradication of poverty, sus- 25 March 1957: Signing of the Treaty of Rome: Paul-Henri Spaak, Belgian Minister for Foreign Affairs joint action with its partners to ensure develop- tainable development, and the smooth and (on the left); Jean-Charles Snoy et d'Oppuers, Head of ment in the interest of all. gradual integration of the ACP States into the the Belgian Delegation at the Inter-Governmental Conference (on the right). © EC Photo Library world economy. * Deputy Director General, European Commission, DG DEV The Treaty of Rome. © EC Photo Library

2 SPECIAL ISSUE N.E. - MARCH 2008 3 Editorial

History

The need for Cotonou UNIQUE IN THE

his special issue of The Courier celebrates It is not the first time that innovations in the Lomé- the 50th birthday of the European Union Cotonou Conventions have stirred the prophets of (EU). The EU embodies the dreams of doom. There was the time when political dialogue peace and improved standards of living for incorporated democratic progress into cooperation. WORLD: Tpeople who have, over time, paid a heavy price for the Scepticism also occurred over the considerable oppor- disunity of their countries, not only in Europe but tunities given to non-state actors in cooperation, civil throughout the world. For so many people and coun- society and the private sector. tries alike, it has become a model of hope. This is what Jacques Delors probably meant when he spoke A few years on, those who were initially the most nerv- of “the need for Europe”. ous about these features of cooperation now see them as YEARS OF having made progress by contributing to positive dem- Europe’s development policy is engrained in the EU ocratic developments in ACP countries. Several crises and incorporated into its founding act, the Treaty of have been handled skilfully, such as the recent coup 50 Rome. The novel character of this policy, namely the d’état in Fiji and a short time ago, the unrest in Côte contractual nature of its aid to what was to become the d’Ivoire. The entry of Cuba into the ACP Group and the African, Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) Group, was situation in Zimbabwe are also cases in point. already etched into the Yaoundé Convention, the fore- north-south runner to Lomé and Cotonou. An increasing number of the world’s developing countries aspire to having the Lomé-Cotonou type of model As with negotiations on other agreements, those on the of relations with their wealthier partners. current Cotonou Agreement were tough. Since coming By Hegel Goutier into being, Cotonou’s newest aspect, the gradual imple- The need for Europe is well demonstrated; the need for cooperation mentation of the Economic Partnership Agreements the ACP-EU partnership cannot be denied, if only for (EPAs), which implies a shift from a relationship of aid the commitment to its founding principle: equality to one of trade partners, has caused feelings to run high. between donor and recipient. It provides a guarantee for hen Europe’s founding fathers began to negotiate the The 1st European Development Fund (EDF) was the financial envelope EPAs, which came into force on 1 January 2008 for a the future. future Treaty of Rome, with the objective of recon- allocated by the European Community to the Association, an instrument number of ACP countries, are seen by some as diluting ciliation and reducing the prospect of further conflict that was to become the backbone of Europe’s political aid the altruistic nature of ACP-EU relations that could as experienced in two world wars, there was little weakned, in turn, lead to the splitting up of the Hegel Goutier Wreason to think the text would include a chapter on relations with > The ingenuity of Yaoundé: ACP Group into disparate, isolated regions. Editor-in-chief Africa. There was even less reason to believe that half a century later contractual relationship and free trade areas those relationships would include almost 100 different countries A group of Togolese peo- around the globe and be a universally recognised model. The independent movement that swept across Africa in the early 1960s ple engrossed in the prompted a rethink on the position of the Association Agreement with event of the day: the EEC-ACP Convention > A place for ‘European countries the OCTs in Africa which was still in force (covering a total of 19 coun- signed at Lomé in and territories’ tries – 18 former French colonies and Somalia). February 1975. © EC Photo Library in the Treaty of Rome

It was when the Founding Fathers of the European Union, Germany, France, Italy and the three Benelux countries, were on the verge of completing the Treaty of Rome negotiations that France proposed that a place be reserved for an ‘Association Agreement’ with Overseas Countries and Territories (OCTs) – essentially those countries associated with France.

The outcome was that a text on the Association with Overseas Countries and Territories was added to Section 4 of the treaty, although there had been no negotiation and no agreement signed with the OCTs themselves. In fact, the agreement existed in name only, as View of the Lomé III Convention signing the other articles in the Treaty of Rome referring to it were only ceremony (1984). © EC Photo Library signed by the six European signatory states.

4 SPECIAL ISSUE N.E. - MARCH 2008 5 History 50 Years of Cooperation 50 Years of Cooperation History

The rethink brought forward a pragmatic solu- > The birth of the ACP Group: To bring about these changes, a special bilater- However, by the beginning of the 1970s extension of European development policy to countries of Ethiopia, Sudan, Liberia, tion. The ‘Association’ would continue on a a genuine political choice al agreement was signed with Nigeria in 1969 Europe’s development policy was still at a an array of Commonwealth countries. These Equatorial Guinea and Guinea-Bissau. provisional basis with amendments to be made but was never ratified due to the civil war in crossroads, with questions being raised about were countries not just in Africa, but in the in accordance with the status of newly inde- Biafra. Another agreement, separate from the the direction to take, highlighting cooperation Caribbean and the Pacific too. The negotiations that were opened between pendent African States. Each State could As soon as Yaoundé I was signed, the newly Yaoundé Convention, the Arusha (trade) with Africa and openings towards other the European Community and this group of choose whether to remain a member. In the independent English-speaking countries voiced Agreement, was signed in 1969 with three regions. A memorandum of the European As of August 1973, twenty-one Commonwealth around 45 countries were to prove a unique 1 end, just one “Guinea-Conakry” made the a strong dislike to a convention they saw as East African countries – Kenya, Uganda and Commission put forward the options. nations were invited to negotiate an associa- experience. All these newly independent decision to leave although it would later return ‘shaped’ to preserving links between France and Tanzania. This agreement, implemented on 1 tion or trade agreement with the European countries were used to meeting within large in 1975 to sign the 1st Lomé Convention. its former territories. Their concerns were January 1971, at the same time as the Yaoundé In January 1973, the United Kingdom (plus Community that would possibly replace the frameworks such as the UN or the shared by EEC members such as Germany and II Convention and for the same period of time, Ireland and Denmark) joined the European Yaoundé Convention. All the independent Organisation of African Unity (OAU), where In 1963, negotiations between 18 African the Netherlands who, since the signing of the brought these three countries into the conven- Community. This membership was to put nations of sub-Saharan Africa, except South the only matters discussed were political. States and the six European countries resulted Treaty of Rome, had been inclined towards a tion. Mauritius joined the Yaoundé II everything in a new light. One of the protocols Africa, were present at the negotiating table. Now, however, they had to agree on questions in the signing of the Yaoundé Convention development policy with a broad spectrum. Convention at a later stage in 1972. of the Act of Accession opened the door to an They also included the non-Commonwealth very close to everyday realities on the benefits between the European Communities and the of an agreement with the European Economic ‘Associated African States and Madagascar’ Community (EEC). Not surprisingly, there for a five-year period (1964–1969). were many differences of opinion: between French and English speakers, between large At first it was all about trade. The Yaoundé and small countries, between geographical Convention was essentially concerned with regions. The sheer size of Nigeria, for exam- free trade areas and under its umbrella ple, seen even then as a future oil giant, was a European products received preferential treat- concern for some. ment on the markets of the associated African countries and vice versa. This free trade agree- The negotiations began at the end of July 1973 ment was also backed up by a financial assis- with a deadline set on the expiry of Yaoundé II tance package – the 2nd and 3rd EDFs for at the end of January 1975. The Lomé Yaoundé I and Yaoundé II. The 2nd Yaoundé Agreement was signed immediately after the Convention (1971–1976) was signed in 1969. deadline at the beginning of February 1975 by 9 EEC and 46 African, Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) States. A collection of covers of The ACP-EU Courier from Lomé I to Lomé V. © EC Photo Library More than developing relations with their The negotiations that were opened between the European Economic Community and the African countries were to European partners, it was relations between prove a unique experience. © EC Photo Library each other that initially mobilised the African,

6 SPECIAL ISSUE N.E. - MARCH 2008 7 History 50 Years of Cooperation 50 Years of Cooperation History

Signature of the Yaoundé I Convention, 20 July 1963: Ahmadou Ahidjo, President of Cameroon from 1960 until 1982. © EC Photo Library Michel Cambon, Untitled, 2007, Manifesta! © Africa e Mediterraneo

29 March 1957: Signing of the Treaty of Rome. Cover of an ACP-EU document about the Cotonou © EC Photo Library Agreement signed the 23 June 2000.

Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) countries. Third- leged relations with both the Soviet Union and light. A feeling of ‘aid fatigue’ began to sur- world’s economies and the populations of ple giving greater priority to the political time in its history that the Commission had met world thinking bound them together and US-aligned countries. face and the optimism of the 1960s and 1970s wealthy countries had a new concern: the dimension. outside the EU. forged their common interests, and they sur- At the commercial level, Lomé awarded the on the future of former colonies had long erosion of their material security. Moreover, With the announcement of Economic prised the Europeans by announcing in the ACP countries preferential and non-reciprocal since evaporated. Administrative chaos in it was becoming increasingly clear that aid > Cotonou (2000–2020): Partnership Agreements (EPAs) under spring of 1974, through their spokesman trade terms, protocols on selected products some countries and the teething problems of had not greatly improved the development of transition leading to completion Cotonou, it seemed that cooperation between Babacar Ba (cited by Tom Glaser in the special (e.g. sugar, bananas and beef) and also guaran- fledgling democracies caused donors to lose certain countries, especially in Africa. Worse of the process ACP-EU countries had turned full circle. Free edition of The Courier, March–April 1990), teed the ACP countries higher prices than their enthusiasm. At the same time, the citi- than that, many of them had actually become trade had been mooted under the Yaoundé with regard to the Lomé IV Convention: “You those on world markets. A system of compen- zens of the richer nations began to sense the poorer. On the eve of the Lomé IV negotia- Cotonou gave a bigger role to civil society and Convention. Long debates ensued about have before you not three groups expressing sation for trade deficits brought about by price end of the post-war boom and demanded tions these worries and concerns were all too the private sector (which were to be involved as whether or not to continue cooperation in the harmonised positions with one voice, but a fluctuations (Stabex) also provided a guaran- rather less generosity from their governments clear in Europe. a new set of cooperative players) and refined conventional way because the revised single group of ACP countries which want to tee for the ACP producers (see p.23). All this towards the developing world. development strategies by awarding priority to Cotonou Agreement brought about a funda- recognise their common destiny and the was seen as a commitment by Europe to the The negotiators of the 12 European Member the Millennium Development Goals (MDG). It mental change by stating that EPAs should be unshakeable desire to achieve positive results creation of a fairer world economic order. The first warning shot that all was not well States and 68 ACP countries could not ignore also prioritised regional integration of the ACP concluded by the end of 2007, the reason at these negotiations.” after the signing of Lomé III was the introduc- these new realities. Negotiations were diffi- countries and brought in the idea of flexibility being that preferences granted by the EU to At the sectoral level, the principal priority was tion of a debate on policies that rendered cult but the final agreement included a chap- enabling additional resources to be granted to the ACP contravene the World Trade This is how the ACP Group was born and its agricultural infrastructure, while at the institu- negotiations on the allocation of resources ter on human rights. From now on, human countries that use their funds most efficiently. Organisation (WTO) rules. The aim is to facil- constitution was finalised with the ratification tional level, Lomé moved forward by creating more strained than before. Even so, Lomé III rights would be a fundamental clause in rela- Another pillar of the convention was an exten- itate the harmonious integration of ACP coun- of the Georgetown Agreement of 6 June 1975, common institutions between donor countries recognised another emerging trend with a ref- tions between the two sides, with the conse- sion of political dialogue to include consolida- tries into the world economy, where competi- just a few months after the signing of Lomé 1 and recipient countries: the EU-ACP Council of erence to ‘the importance of human dignity’, quence of suspended cooperation for any tion of peace and conflict resolution as well as tion is much fiercer than in the Lomé- on 28 February 1975 by 44 ACP countries. Ministers, the CDI (Centre for Development of although the expression ‘human rights’ was country that violated them. conflict prevention. Cotonou process. This leap into the unknown These States had made a genuine political Industry), later the CDE (Centre for the still not included in the text. But a corner had has left some ACP countries and European choice of their own, contrary to the frequently Development of Enterprises), and the CTA been turned and this was the first blow dealt At the same time, control over the use of funds The revision of the Cotonou Agreement in 2005 civil society actors puzzled. held belief that it was a decision taken under (Technical Centre for Agricultural Cooperation). to the up-to-now sacrosanct neutrality of the became ever stricter. That was the stick. The brought the opportunity for political dialogue outside pressure. agreement, where it was customary to turn a carrot was that the convention would be valid between partners. It has been recognised that cooperation is a The Lomé II Convention (1980–1985) signed blind eye to the political aberrations taking for double the period, a total of 10 years, with work constantly in progress. It has already > Lomé: a new kind of partnership? by 58 ACP countries in 1979 was very much a place in ACP countries. the aim of providing a better continuity of The EUFOR mission to support the Blue proved itself and will continue to provide an ele- continuation of what had gone before. The sole development programmes. There was also Helmets in the Democratic Republic of Congo ment of security in a world full of uncertainty. Lomé I (1975–1980) retained the strong major innovation was Sysmin, a mechanism for > In praise of rigour support for countries needing to make painful in 2006 and support for the African Union (AU) points of Yaoundé, especially its character, minerals that resembled Stabex and made it pos- structural adjustments, as well as for the diver- mission in Darfur, both authorised by the ACP 1 - The ‘Memorandum Deniau’ of 4 April 1973, defined including the contractual nature of aid and an sible to help ACP countries maintain their pro- Lomé IV (1990–2000) was an even more sification of ACP economies, their regional and using available European Development the characteristics of cooperation whilst retaining the established parts of Yaoundé, such as access to the additional number of provisions. This was duction capacities or diversify their mining sec- important turning point. The fall of the Berlin cooperation projects and the promotion of Funds, bears witness to the usefulness of this European market and guaranteed aid, but also brought obvious at the political level with the affirma- tor economies. Wall changed the geopolitical map overnight their private sectors. Cotonou innovation. Another symbol of politi- in novelties such as a system to protect developing coun- tion of the sovereignty of each State and and Europe was looking at reunification. cal dialogue was the joint meeting between the try partners against sudden falls in commodity prices. In accepting this memorandum the Commission was for the respect for its choices. For example, during the Then in 1985 with Lomé III (1985–1990), Also, the good times looked like they were The mid-term review of the convention was European Commission and the Commission for first time given a mandate to negotiate a cooperation Cold War period, Europe maintained privi- cooperation started to be viewed in a different over as two oil crises in a row shook the a lot more extensive than planned, for exam- African Union in October 2006. It was the first agreement.

8 SPECIAL ISSUE N.E. - MARCH 2008 9 History Georgetown Milestone Events History

Debra Percival François Misser GEORGETOWN ACP-EU COOPERATION: the foundation of the ACP group MILESTONE Signed in 1975, the Georgetown Agreement is the foundation of the African Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) Group. Over the years its membership has swelled to 79 nations. The agreement was revised in 2003 to bring in aspects of the new ACP-EU Partnership Agreement, under the Cotonou Agreement. All 79 ACP members, except EVENTS Cuba, are signatories to Cotonou, signed in Benin’s capital. Cooperation between Europe and its ACP partners – which marked its 50th he Georgetown Agreement defines and incoming Presidents, looks after the Day-to-day policies and strategies are drawn anniversary in 2007 – came about as the result of an historical accident; however, it the objectives of the ACP Group, its Council of Ministers’ agenda (see separate arti- up by the EU Commissioner for Development, has continued as an example for the development of relations between the EU and institutions and decision-making cle on the activities of all ACP-EU institutions). currently Belgian Louis Michel, and the EU process. The ACP Group has its Directorate for Development and relations other developing countries. This is certainly the view of one of the key figures in Town internal decision-making process and its with ACP States, headed by Italian Director- EU-ACP cooperation and this Courier report examines his analysis and thoughts (plus joint bodies also interplay with EU institu- > ACP Secretariat General, Stefano Manservisi. Brussels-based a few anecdotes) on a type of cooperation between countries that, despite many tions to take decisions affecting all 79 ACP Europeaid set up in 2001 and led by Dutch and 27 EU Member States of the partnership. ACP ministers take major policy decisions Director General, Koos Richelle, deals with differences, is still vaunted as a model of how to do it. and elect every five years a Brussels-based the technical management of projects. The ACP grouping currently numbers 48 sub- secretary general, currently Sir John Kaputin Saharan African countries, 16 from the from Papua New Guinea, who guides the The EU’s Council of Ministers of Foreign ometimes the real significance of an event only becomes clear Caribbean and 15 from the Pacific (see work of the Brussels-based ACP Secretariat Ministers approves EU strategies towards the with the passage of time. For Dieter Frisch (Director General synoptic table p.28). The objectives of the comprised of nationals from the ACP States. ACP States whereas joint decisions can be for Development at the European Commission 1982 – 1993) amended Georgetown Agreement are the These are technical experts and administra- taken at meetings of ACP and EU Ministers the first milestone event was the signing of the Treaty of eradication of poverty, sustainable develop- tive staff who work in all areas of the ACP- (see separate article on ACP-EU institutions). SRome in 1957. Why? Because the Yaoundé Convention of 1965 would ment of its members, their gradual integration EU partnership from commodities to culture. never have taken place if the French, during the negotiations on this into the world economy, peace and stability in A Parliamentary Assembly of ACP Members treaty, had not insisted on the inclusion of the overseas countries and a free and democratic society, and greater The ACP Committee of Ambassadors of of Parliament meets a statutory twice a year territories that were then under their control. ACP integration overall through cementing Brussels-based diplomatic staff from each prior to its biannual meetings with 79 mem- economic, political, social and cultural ties. ACP state sets an agenda and backs up the bers of the European Parliament who repre- > Cooperation born of an “historical accident” work of the Council. It works closely with sent the 27 EU Member States. These gather- A summit of Heads of State of the 79 ACP the ACP Council and can take decisions and ings, known as the Joint Parliamentary In retrospect, we can all be grateful to France for its insistence but, says countries tops the decision-making pyramid resolutions by a consensus of its members. Assembly (JPA), generally take place once Frisch, Europe’s development policy is not the result of rational consi- but since its meetings are infrequent, deci- every six months rotating between ACP and deration. Rather, it is an historical accident. sions are often in the hands of the ACP It reports on its activities to the ACP Council EU states. Council of Ministers. This ordinarily meets and it too has a coordinating bureau at In 1965, following the great wave of independence, 18 countries – all twice a year but special sessions gathering a Ambassador level, of the same nine-country The ACP-EU Joint Assembly does not take French - speaking except for Somalia - signed a cooperation agreement limited number of ministers on a particular composition as the Council’s bureau. binding decisions but issues opinions on EU with the six countries of the European Community – the Yaoundé topic assemble when necessary. For exam- strategies towards ACP nations and its debates Convention. This convention led to the creation of the first European ple, at the end of 2007, there were frequent The ACP States interact with other EU bod- on policies in ACP nations are often timely Development Fund and the introduction of a free trade regime between meetings of ACP ministers responsible for ies in reaching joint decisions (see article on and always lively. Other EU and ACP institu- these 18 countries and Europe. Later, the second Yaoundé Convention sugar in the wake of the EU’s denouncing of the institutions p.15-16). The EU’s 27 tions often take the lead from the JPA’s own marked a major step in assisting African countries move towards indus- the Sugar Protocol. Member States have their own tiered struc- initiative reports, which are full of very useful trialisation. ture with heads of state at the top. They meet factual research, often drafted jointly by an A bureau of the Council of Ministers, consist- infrequently with their ACP counterparts: the ACP parliamentarian and an EU counterpart. > Adapting to the notion of Pan-Africanism ing of ministers from each of the four African last one took place with African countries in Exchanges with attending senior EU officials Technical agreements were a significant step in the cooperation between the regions, the Caribbean and the Pacific, and the Lisbon in 2007 to inject political impetus are frank and there is much media interest in Dieter Frisch recalls that the Pan-African institutions of the time criti- EU and ACP countries. Top picture: an indicative programme of technical rotating President of the Council and outgoing into Africa-EU links. the gatherings. cised Europe for maintaining and consolidating a “colonial structure” and financial cooperation between the ECC and Ghana. © EC Photo Library

10 SPECIAL ISSUE N.E. - MARCH 2008 11 History Milestone Events Milestone Events History

that constituted an “obstacle to the Pan-African movement.” At the The English-speaking African states did not want to give this kind of Added Frisch, “And the group to group relationship provided a much not believe that reform imposed from the outside - not wanted by the Commission, and also in Bonn and The Hague, opinion was that it was preferential treatment to the European Community and Frisch recalls better political balance - because North-South relationships are by def- government or accepted by the people - was feasible. However, the time to open up cooperation to some of the English-speaking African that they didn’t like the term “association” at all as, in their opinion, inition unequal - by bringing together both rich and poor countries. But introduction of political dialogue into the third Lomé Agreement was countries such as Nigeria and Kenya and, looking beyond that, to the it meant a second class membership of a post-colonial nature. such a large number of countries negotiating together is not at all easy,” not without difficulties. Frisch remembers the time it took to convince rest of the world. This was the stepping off point for a development pol- Eventually, the term “association” was abolished and replaced by the explained Frisch. a Tanzanian minister that he represented his country rather than a new icy worthy of the name. ACP-EEC Lomé Agreement, under which the Africans continued to kind of IMF mission. enjoy preferential treatment on the European market, but the special Finally, the Community framework provided what the former Director There was a shift, from a policy that Frisch describes as “honest, benev- conditions for Europe on the African market were removed. Several General called a “significant political plus-point,” due to the fact that Frisch also recollects post-agreement discussions with the former olent paternalism” to a policy based on responsible partnership, developments then took place, the first being the Caribbean and the politically-neutral Community was cooperating with states practis- Ethiopian dictator, Mengistu Haïlé Mariam, to convince him to offer inspired by the European Commissioner Claude Cheysson. His basic Pacific states joining with Africa to achieve greater bargaining power ing a market economy as well as countries close to the now defunct price incentives for small peasant farmers, a concept that was com- view was that: “The time when we told them what to do is over.” Frisch in negotiations with Europe. Indeed, in 1975, a number of ex-British Soviet bloc. This turned, a weakness – its lack of responsibility in for- pletely at odds with the Marxist ideology of the Addis Ababa regime said Cheysson was famous for saying, “the European Development colonies, from the Caribbean and the Pacific alongside with the eign policy -, into a strength. And although EU Member Statesdeployed of the day. Funds, it’s your money – use it for your priorities and if you need tech- English-speaking African states, became partners of the European a policy that may have seemed a little schizophrenic, they succeeded in nical advice, we are here to help you.” Union as signatories of the Lomé I Agreement, two years after the holding talks with countries and political figures with which they did Ghebray Berhane revealed how the ACP countries responded to the United Kingdom joined the EEC. not have bilateral relationships. For example, the Community held offi- idea of political dialogue by saying, “you introduce conditionality and However, this was not an easy call, owing to opposition from French- cial discussions with several heads of liberation movements well before that is your right. We are not against it. But you have to have the means speaking African states who feared that an increase in the number of > Lomé brings about a real revolution the independence of these countries. Leaders such as Sam Nujoma, of to achieve your goals if you want the ACP to accept certain conditions.” beneficiaries would affect the financial and commercial rights they had the South-West African Peoples Organisation, formed in 1960, was In any case, Berhane, like Frisch, believes that the EEC-ACP negotia- already gained. The then Senegalese President Léopold Sédar Senghor The first Lomé Agreement brought about a series of revolutionary received by the Commission in 1978, twelve years before Namibia’s tions were real negotiations. “An anecdote, which Berhane gave exclu- led this protest, even being prepared to fully maintain the commercial changes. At that time they were talking about Lomé “from Peking to independence. sively to the Courier, underlines his feelings. He said: “During the regime of Yaoundé, that gave preferential treatment to European goods Washington,” recalled Claude Cheysson in an interview with The negotiations, which went on until four o’clock in the morning, the in the markets of French-speaking Africa. Courier published in 1977. > An ideological shift: the political dialogue Europeans had deliberately chosen small rooms in the European Council building which only had room for ministerial spokespersons. In Frisch’s view, the most important change was the preferential trade “The third Lomé Agreement marked a significant change in approach The experts found themselves sidelined. A colleague and I went into the regime that provided non-reciprocal access for ACP products to the concerning the management of financial and technical cooperation,” said European market. Then came Stabex (see p.23), the European Frisch. The Commission realised that results were not always good Dieter Frisch (on the right): a key European negotiator A road financed by the first European Development Fund (EDF) in the French during the Lomé Conventions. © EC Photo Library part of Martinique. At the time, the EDF contributed to the development not Community’s contribution to creating a new global economic order. enough and improvement was needed. But it was not easy to change tack only of the countries associated with Africa and Madagascar, but also the However, throughout these North-South discussions, demand for the and say, “We are partners and we want this to work, so let’s engage in real French Overseas Territories. © EC Photo Library stabilisation of the price of commodities was met with ideological dialogue on policies. By saying that we don’t mean ’political dialogue’ in objections from those who argued it was not compatible with a true the modern sense, meaning discussion on weapons of mass destruction, market economy. for example.” What the Commission wanted, on the eve of the signing of the 3rd Lomé Agreement (1985), under Commissioner Edgar Pisani, was “It was technically and politically inconceivable,” Frisch explained. to open dialogue on development policies. But at the same time, Cheysson’s team wanted to do something. The agreements that were concluded involved reciprocal commitments. According to Ghebray Berhane (Secretary General of the ACP Group That approach was different from that of the World Bank and the 1990-1995), a participant in the Lomé negotiations as ambassador of International Monetary Fund (IMF), which, said Frisch, had introduced Ethiopia, one of the major achievements was that the ACP countries “this wretched concept of gained access to the European market and the European Development conditionality,” that came Fund increased year after year. “That is why the agreements are consid- across “like a diktat from out- ered to have fully satisfied both parties,” he said. side.” The Pisani team did

12 SPECIAL ISSUE N.E. - MARCH 2008 13 Who does what interpreters’ booth next to one of these rooms from where we followed the fall of the Berlin Wall and the signing of the 4th Lomé Agreement, it the discussions. From our vantage point we were able to slip a piece of was the first EU Treaty to include a chapter on development cooperation. paper to the ACP negotiators. The talks on the EDF amounts and the But more importantly it marked a break with previous policy. Before the products to be included went on until the end of the third Lomé negoti- 4th Lomé Agreement, everyone was welcome to join the club, even ations. The EU Council security staff noticed that a room was being Mengistu’s Ethiopia was accepted which would be unthinkable today. used by people who shouldn’t have been there and they almost frog- marched us out”. They wanted to get rid of the troublemakers!, says “This Treaty also contributed to the inclusion of foreign and security pol- Berhane laughing. icy into the Community’s external relations and the need for coherence THE INSTITUTIONS between these policies and development policy,” noted Frisch. Moreover, “Such a scenario is plausible”, comments, smiling, a retired European the second pillar of the Treaty, enshrining the common foreign and secu- official who also participated in the Lomé negotiations. “In fact, there rity policy, forced European partners to harmonise their actions in areas is always a moment when the bosses want to talk between themselves. ranging from security and the environment to trade and development. of ACP-EU cooperation This is common practice when the negotiations reach their political stage. Yet, I can assure you that there has never been any intention to This led to an analysis of the respective roles and importance of the poli- The institutions responsible for the implementation of the Cotonou Agreement are the marginalize the ACP negotiators”, he points out. cies in relation to each other and this debate continues today. There is a tendency to make peace and stability a development condition and the ACP-EU Council of Ministers, the ACP-EU Committee of Ambassadors and the Joint But Lomé had an impact in other ways, not least, according to Frisch, question remains as to whether military or quasi-military action should be Parliamentary Assembly (JPA) which groups representatives from the European that this form of cooperation – in particular Lomé’s inclusion of English financed with funds earmarked for development. Frisch himself believes Parliament and the Parliaments of the ACP States. and Portuguese-speaking countries – had an effect on other cooperation that it should come from the CFSP (EU’s Common Foreign and Security agreements. He recalled that it was in the wake of the first Lomé Policy) budget. The same applies to migration – only symptoms are being Agreement that the initial cooperation agreements between the EEC dealt with and a “wall” is being built around the Community. But, what’s THE ACP-EU COUNCIL OF MINISTERS ommendations to the Council of Ministers with the aim of achieving and the Mediterranean countries were made and aid for Asia and Latin really needed is to tackle poverty and provide people with decent living the objectives of the Cotonou Agreement. It also seeks to strengthen America appeared in the European budget for the first time. Claude conditions in their own countries. When home office ministers understand Comprised of ministers of the ACP States and members of the EU regional integration in the ACP countries and cooperation with the Cheysson only refers to “the extension of Lomé to the south of the that development policy can prevent mass migration, measures can be Council of Ministers and the European Commission, it is presided parliaments of the ACP countries and the Pan-African Parliament. Mediterranean.” taken to benefit both sides. Development policy, which has been sidelined over in rotation by a European minister and an ACP minister. The for so long, must be seen as offering mainstream solutions. Council meets once a year and whenever the presidency deems it nec- Find out more: www.acp.int/en/parliamentary_assembly_e.htm essary. Its mission is to conduct political dialogue, adopt policy guide- www.europarl.europa.eu/intcoop/acp/ > Maastricht: the great watershed lines and take decisions to apply the Agreement as well as to resolve Signature of the Treaty of Maastricht: Roland Dumas, French Minister for problems that present obstacles for the implementation of cooperation. THE CENTRE FOR THE DEVELOPMENT Foreign Affairs from 1988 until 1993 (on the left); Dieter Frisch believes that the Maastricht Treaty, which came into force in Pierre Bérégovoy (on the right), OF ENTERPRISE (CDE) November 1993, was another major turning point. Coming four years after French Prime Minister from 1992 until 1993. The Council examines and takes into account resolutions and rec- © EC Photo Library ommendations of the ACP-EU JPA. It also meets with the econom- A joint ACP Group and EU institution created in 2000, in the frame- ic and social partners and other civil society stakeholders. Decisions work of the Cotonou Agreement, the CDE manages (under European of the Council can be binding. Commission supervision) the Pro€Invest partnership programme that allocates €100M from the European Development Fund. Its aim is to Find out more: www.acp.int/en/parliamentary_assembly_e.htm support the development of ACP private sector companies, with partic- www.eu.2007.de ular emphasis on encouraging technology transfers and penetrating www.consilium.europa.eu new markets. The CDE is a continuation of the Centre for the Development of Industry (CDI) that was created in 1977 under the THE ACP-EU COMMITTEE OF AMBASSADORS Lomé I Convention.

This is formed of permanent representatives of the EU and the Find out more: www.cde.int European Commission alongside ambassadors to the EU of the ACP States and is alternately chaired by an ACP or a European diplomat. Its Conversation between Stefano Manservisi, Alpha Oumar Konaré and mission is to assist the Council of Ministers in accomplishing its tasks Louis Michel (from left to right) during the inauguration of the Julius and to act when necessary to carry out any mandate which the Council Nyerere conference room at the DG-DEV of the EC. © EC Photo Library of Ministers may entrust to it. It also prepares Council meetings.

Find out more: www.acp.int

THE JOINT PARLIAMENTARY ASSEMBLY (JPA)

This is one of the most original institutions of ACP-EU cooperation. It is made up of an equal number of representatives from the European Parliament and the parliaments of the ACP States; however the latter are often replaced by the ambassador of the country in question. Its role is to promote democratic processes through dialogue and consultation, facilitate better understanding between the peoples of the EU and the ACP States, and generate public interest in development issues. It debates and then submits resolutions and rec-

14 SPECIAL ISSUE N.E. - MARCH 2008 15 Who does what ACP-EU New Actors Who does what

THE TECHNICAL CENTRE policy. Placed under the authority of the Summit of ACP Heads of FOR AGRICULTURAL COOPERATION (CTA) State and Government, the Council of Ministers and the Committee of Ambassadors, its mission is to carry out tasks conferred by these NON-STATE ACTORS - BIGGER Set up in 1983 within the framework of the Lomé Convention, the institutions and by the ACP-EU Joint Parliamentary Assembly. It CTA’s mission is to develop and provide services that improve helps implement the decisions taken by these bodies and assists access by the ACP countries to information on agricultural and rural them, as well as the joint bodies set up in the framework of the ACP- development, and to strengthen the capacity of these countries to EU Partnership Agreements. PLAYERS I N COTONOU produce, exchange and exploit information in this field. Find out more: www.acp.int Find out more: www.cta.int With partnership at the core of Cotonou, civil society in all its diversity has been attri- ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL COMMITTEE buted a more prominent role and bigger say in ACP-EU cooperation, 2000–2020. THE EUROPEAN COMMISSION A consultative assembly of European economic and social partners, Charged with implementing EU common policies, including devel- the Economic and Social Committee (ESC) allows its voice to be nder former ACP-EU opment and relief NGOs, which annual European Development And there is always a plethora of opment policy (a competence it shares with the individual Member heard through formal opinions submitted to the Council, the Conventions, non-gov- was set up in 2003 and gathers Days (EDD) event where non- position papers by civil society States), the European Commission is the EU’s executive body Commission and the European Parliament, including the field of ernmental organisation some 1.200 development and relief state actors from the EU, in par- on Cotonou at each ACP-EU responsible to the European Parliament and as such is guardian of development policy. Its external affairs section follows up relations (NGOs) were allocated NGOs in Europe, is currently look- ticular, have stands to inform the Parliamentary Assembly, espe- the Union treaties, initiator of legislation and engine for the harmon- between the EU and its partners in the rest of the world, including Ufunds under decentralised coopera- ing at how Cotonou’s commit- public about their activities and cially on the EPAs. isation of European policy in this field. It is the Commission that the ACP zone. This is done through the intermediary of a Monitoring tion for project implementation but ments towards civil society are mount side events that stimulate manages the European Development Fund (EDF) that has a global Committee, a Joint Consultative Committee and a Contact Group. dialogue on EU policies towards shaping up in practice. This is also open discussion on EU develop- The platform of ACP businesses, budget under the 10th EDF of €22.6 billion for 2008-2013. Close relations with the economic and social partners in the ACP ACP nations was not cemented under the microscope in the perma- ment policies. already established in 1998, countries have been established to discuss matters of common inter- into the agreements. nent Cotonou Monitoring Group, bringing ACP and EU companies Find out more: www.ec.europa.eu est and the strengthening of civil society. Article 6, Chapter 2 of the gathering a cross-section of its NGOs from francophone West closer to embark on joint invest- Cotonou Partnership Agreement, mentions economic and social Under Cotonou, a broad range of members. Africa have been especially vocal ment schemes is active in many ACP SECRETARIAT partners, including trade union organisations among the non-state non-state actors, north and south, in the EU media over their fears fora, including the December actors of cooperation. Article 6 does not mention explicitly the ESC, are not only recipients of aid but Sebban applauds what Cotonou that Economic Partnerships 2007 meeting of African and EU Set up by the Georgetown Agreement (1975), the ACP Secretariat, which is a European institution. However, the role of the ESC has consult with EU institutions on a set out to do in terms of a greater Agreement (EPAs) with the EU Heads of State in Lisbon. An based in Brussels, is charged with the administrative management of been strengthened by the 2000 Cotonou Agreement. In Protocol I to full range of policies towards say for NGOs and an increase in will mean cheaper food on their ACP-EU local government plat- the ACP group. It is responsible for implementing the group’s inter- this Agreement, EU and ACP Ministers made this body responsible ACPs as an integral part of the their project funding – 15% of the markets harming local farmers. form was also set up in 2001 by national policy as well as organising and coordinating cooperation for organising meetings with ACP-EU economic and social interest partnership accord. 10th European Development mayors and representatives of groups. It is considered as the architect of civil society’s participa- Fund (EDF) (2008–2013) is allo- The influence of ACP NGOs on existing ACP local government tion in ACP-EU relations. Article 6 of the Cotonou cated to civil society. EU policy often depends on how associations to heighten the

Chalk drawing ofa a map of Europe. Convention embraces non-state well organized they are locally. advocacy of local government in © EC Photo Library Find out more: www.eesc.europa.eu actors, “in all its forms according Florent Sebban points out that, in ACP-EU cooperation. to national characteristics”. They > The litmus test Cameroon, NGOs have organ- D.P. THE EUROPEAN INVESTMENT BANK (EIB) include the business sector, eco- ised Les jeudis de Cotonou, nomic and social partners, trade As far as the success of policy dia- (Cotonou Thursdays) which meet An EU body granting long-term loans, the EIB is one of the princi- unions, non-governmental devel- logue is concerned, the litmus test every Thursday just to discuss Activité commercial, Bamako 2007. pal development partners for most of the ACP countries and over- opment organisations, human is the extent of EU institution-civil the convention. © Afrique in visu /Baptiste de Ville d'Avray seas countries and territories with constitutional links with the EU rights groups, grass roots organi- society consultation on the dating back 30 or more years. In particular, it manages the Cotonou sations, women’s associations, Country Strategy Documents Investment Facility (€1.7 billion) as well as contributions out of its environmental groups, farmers’ (CSP), which also include the own funds (€2 billion). It has five regional offices in ACP countries: organisations, indigenous peo- National or Regional Indicative Dakar (West Africa), Nairobi (East and Central Africa), Pretoria ples’ groups and religious organi- Plans (NIP/RIP), the EU’s five- (Southern Africa), Fort-de-France (Caribbean) and Sydney (Pacific). sations, research institutes, cultur- year policy planning and program- al bodies and the media. ming for individual ACP countries Find out more: www.bei.org under the 10th EDF. F.M. The aim is to harness and build on the dynamics of civil society and Even though non-state actor con- A view of the European Parliament improve ownership of develop- sultation with the EU may fall © Photo European Parliament ment strategies, putting people in below expectations for Cotonou, control of their own development. its meetings with the Commission feeling more like sessions to Since its outset seven years ago, exchange information rather than non-state actors have been keep- real dialogue, their increasing ing a close track on whether voice is being felt in many EU fora. Cotonou has achieved what it set They are an active and diverse out to do in this field. lobby in the European Parliament, Florent Sebban of CONCORD, the its Committees, the Joint ACP-EU European confederation of devel- Parliamentary Assembly and the

16 SPECIAL ISSUE N.E. - MARCH 2008 17 Results Who does what

Marie-Martine Buckens An ACP Civil Society Forum on track for political SUCCESS recognition

ommunity-based organisations The main priority of civil society from the ACP group of countries organisations was the challenge to staged their first forum in 2001. Dr become organised then strengthen the Natallie Corrie-Kordas, the ACP required structures, in order to STORIES CSecretariat expert in charge of Humanitarian become more involved in projects Affairs and Civil Society, recalls that “the financed as part of the ACP-EU coop- event signalled the genesis of a dynamic eration. To facilitate this process, and ne of the issues facing European Commissioner Louis Investment Bank (EIB) has financed innovative technologies to make process where, for the first time, representa- at the initiative of the ACP Group and Michel when he took office was how to express in concrete the most of local resources like the Bellevue coal-bagasse combined tives of civil society organisations from its Secretariat, a joint ACP-EU terms the considerable sums allocated to cooperation with cycle power station. Africa, the Caribbean and the Pacific recog- Eligibility Criteria for non-state ACP countries: €13.5 billion for the period 2002-2007 and nised the importance of developing a common actors was defined and politically O€22.6 billion for 2008-2013. A closer look behind the figures shows a In the Seychelles, EDF money has been targeted at improving living understanding of the challenges and opportu- endorsed in December 2002. These number of undeniable successes in EU-ACP cooperation. conditions among the local population. Equally, in its July/August 1997 nities inherent in the Cotonou Agreement. This criteria, inter alia, encouraged civil edition, The Courier highlighted the positive results of this cooperation resulted in the sustained resolve to secure society organisations to be fully A case in point is Mauritius, a principal beneficiary of the Sugar in Barbados, a country which has invested heavily in people and now increased levels of participation in the process transparent, to manage their activi- Protocol. By being paid considerably more than the going global rate enjoys a higher human development index than some European coun- of the implementation of a wide range of ties in a responsible and accountable for its sugar exports to the EU, the country has been able to diversify its tries. A success story that is down to local leadership with the wisdom development activities.” manner and, in particular, to cater to economy into textiles, tourism and service industries. Furthermore, the to allocate European funds to education, both university and skills the specific development needs of free and non-reciprocal access to European markets for Mauritian tex- teaching, which has produced a workforce trained for growth sectors Since then, the ACP Group of States and its the local population. To assist in tiles has seen the manufacturing sector take off. Also, the European like tourism and communication technologies. Secretariat have set about ensuring that all understanding the ‘rules’, the ACP Secretariat “ACP civil society now must become recog- projects and programmes include special pro- published a User’s guide for non-state actors, nised as a political entity both within its con- visions for civil society organisations to which set out in detail the rules for non-gov- stituency as well as vis à vis key government Activité commercial, Bamako 2007. become fully involved in the 9th EDF-spon- ernment players (e.g. community-based organ- players”, stresses ACP’s Dr Natallie Corrie- © Afrique in visu /Baptiste de Ville d'Avray sored projects. isations), and the conditions in place to ensure Kordas, who remains optimistic in her analy- their effective participation in all activities sis. “This should not be too daunting a task related to the Cotonou Agreement. because the 9th EDF development pro- Didier Viode, Untitled. 2007, Manifesta! grammes underway show that ACP States © Africa e Mediterraneo At the second forum in 2006, community- have already paved the way to ensure that spe- based organisations made it clear that they cial provisions are in place to encourage a were keen to participate in policy dialogue as more involved and participatory role of com- well in EDF projects and programmes. The munity-based structures that are well organ- ACP Declaration and Plan of Action made ised within the ACP States”, she adds. specific reference to the ACP-EU facilities (energy, water and natural disaster), the global The answer to this call for a more organised effort to combat AIDS, the consultative structure of an all-ACP civil society will be processes of the EPA negotiations, the devel- forthcoming during the next meeting of the opment of cultural industries, and so on. The forum, scheduled for 2008 . immediate challenge which remains, therefore, lies in its ongoing efforts to become a Top picture: legal and politically recognised entity, and to Dr Natallie Corrie-Kordas, Expert in create a holistic all-ACP Civil Society Forum. Humanitarian Matters & Civil Society

18 SPECIAL ISSUE N.E. - MARCH 2008 19 Results Success Stories Scientific Cooperation Results

In Congo-Brazzaville, Liberia and Djibouti, EU funds have been used Hospital complex in Bujumbura, Burundi 2007. to distribute that most precious of all commodities – peace. This is Joshua Massarenti thanks to the financing of programmes for the demobilisation and reha- bilitation of combatants after civil wars. In Mali, the European Commission recorded a major success by financing development programmes in the north of the country that also played a role in prevent- ing conflict by making the people involved understand that the government of Bamako and the EU didn’t mean them to be left behind in their quest for a better day-to-day existence. In the Democratic Republic of Congo, the supervision of democratic elections by EUFOR was another sign that EU Member States’ aid can make a significant and lasting impact on a nation.

Countries such as Tanzania, Rwanda and many others are indebted to the EU for the construction of their main trunk roads. In Liberia too, the EU contributed to reconstruction by financing the re-establishment of the electricity grid after the civil war. In Uganda and St Vincent, the EU has invested in the renovation of school buildings. SCIENCE and All these examples are testimony to the diversity of sectors, actions and SCIENCE countries – the on-the-ground ‘theatres’ of ACP-EU cooperation. A more complete round up should include the fact that the number of African countries which have held pluralistic elections has risen from three to fourty between 1973 and 2005, with, in the majority of cases, European support. Another example: thanks to the Centre for the Development of Enterprise (CDE), the Ethiopian company Dire Industries multiplied its TECHNOLOGYTECHNOLOGY production of shoes by 16 to 2,500 pairs a day between 2004 and 2007 and its staff has grown five fold over the same period. COOPERATIONCOOPERATION ONON THETHE ROADROAD

The EU’s and other donors’ interventions have helped the enrolment in African primary schools to rise from 72% to 93% in 2004. The EU’s TOTO EMANCIPATIONEMANCIPATION and other donors’ focused attention on HIV/AIDS is also beginning to pay off. In the last two years, 28 of the 36 countries reporting data are showing reductions over time in HIV prevalence. F.M. uly 2002 is an important date in the history of cooperation Activité commercial, Bamako 2007. between the ACP and EU in the field of research and development Academies in search of © Afrique in visu /Baptiste de Ville d'Avray (R&D), a cooperation still in its infancy at the time. It was then Madagascan traditional textile & clothing clusters. that the two parties met in Cape Town, on the initiative of the © Centre for the Development of Enterprise (CDE) and JACP Secretariat and the European Commission, and agreed to lay networks capacity Political rally in Goma (South-Kivu) the day before historical Congolese elections were organised in down the foundations of a genuine partnership in the fields of science 2006 with the support of the European and technology. At the meeting, ACP science ministers adopted a dec- f the ACP universities and research centres are to survive and flour- Commission. ish there is not only a need for increased cooperation with their © Joshua Massarenti laration that formally pledged to review their R&D budgets, with plans I to increase them to at least 1% of gross domestic product (GDP) with- European counterparts but also for more links between the ACP in a decade. The declaration also stressed the importance of pursuing research organisations themselves. It was with this in mind that in programmes that would allow the ACP States to participate effectively 2001, 13 African scientific institutions formed the Network of African in the global economy while still maintaining their intellectual proper- Science Academies (NASAC)1 to strengthen cooperation between the ty rights, traditional know-how and biodiversity. African Union (AU) and the NEPAD (New Partnership for Africa’s Development) .The ultimate aim was to represent the 53 AU Member > Reducing the technology gap States. The network seeks to enable African scientists to find project partners more effectively and to join European research consortiums, The undertaking given in South Africa’s capital is important in that it particularly those eligible for financing under the EU’s framework pro- implies possibly difficult changes in terms of policy as well as of investment. It is based on the belief – also expressed in the Millennium gramme for R&D. For many universities in developing countries with Development Goals (MDGs) – that reducing the technology gap diminished resources, this is far from easy.

between north and south is a major factor in resolving the problem of 1 - Members of the Network of African Science Academies (NASAC) include the the widening socio-economic divide between rich and poor nations. African Academy of Sciences, Cameroon Academy of Sciences, Ghana Academy Certainly, there is no disputing the figures: the world’s industrialised of Arts and Sciences, Kenya National Academy of Sciences, Académie Nationale Malgache, Nigerian Academy of Sciences, Académie des Sciences et Techniques countries currently invest about 2.5% of their GDP in R&D, while most du Sénégal, Uganda National Academy of Sciences and the Academy of Science developing countries invest less than 0.5%. Furthermore, at the of South Africa. Barcelona summit in 2002, the EU pledged to increase its R&D invest-

20 SPECIAL ISSUE N.E. - MARCH 2008 21 Results Scientific Cooperation Decoding Results

ments from 2.2% to 3% of gross national income by 2010, two-thirds of which should be financed Edulink, by the private sector. R&D has become an established feature of new the first strategies developed by the EU in the field of Trade protocols cooperation. This is clearly illustrated by the new EU-Africa partnership recently adopted at the ACP-EU Lisbon Summit in December 2007 which gives a major role to research, particularly in the fields of cooperation agriculture and food security, and information and communication technology. In the past, the and programme EU’s approach to R&D was to give priority to a EPAs vertical involvement within a specific programme ooperation between ACP and (namely INCO on international cooperation). It ntroduced as part of the first Lomé Convention (1975–1980), trade > Stabex (1976–2000) CEU scientists will be further also funded sub-regional agricultural research protocols have become one of the characteristics of EU-ACP coop- strengthened following the launch organisations in Africa (through the EDF) as well eration, significantly promoting economic development. For Stabex is the abbreviation for the fund for the stabilisation of export of the Edulink programme in 2006. as agricultural research programmes under the example, the banana protocol ensured exemption from customs revenue from agricultural products, introduced as part of Lomé I. It has Consultative Group on International Agricultural Iduties for specific quotas, primarily exported by Caribbean countries. compensated for losses in revenue from exports of products to the EU This is the first cooperation programme in the field of higher edu- Research (CGIAR), financed out of the Food Equally, under the sugar protocol – which expires in two years’ time – by ACP countries as a result of fluctuations in prices on the global mar- cation with the ACP regions, which Security budget. The new Seventh R&D An african researcher. 18 ACP exporting countries can sell a quota of 1.3 million tonnes on the ket. This is on the condition that the losses represented a significant por- © EC Photo Library is open to all ACP States and the 15 Framework Programme (FP7) (2007-2013) has EU market at a guaranteed price which is aligned with internal tion of their trade balance. The major beneficiaries of Stabex have been EU Member States that are signato- adopted a horizontal approach that includes spe- European prices that are considerably higher than the price on the glob- the large-scale producers of cocoa, cotton, coffee, groundnuts and tea. ries to the 9th EDF (2001–2007). cific mechanisms to enable developing countries The Cape Town Declaration has, however, not al market. This protocol has promoted economic development in coun- Since 2000, this compensation mechanism has been replaced by anoth- Its aim is to strengthen institutional to participate based on their real needs. This last lacked constructive follow-up. In May 2003 the tries like Mauritius, Fiji, Guyana and Barbados. Finally, the meat pro- er called Flex, which stands for the compensation fund for the short- and academic competences – in development is important, as it was only possible ACP-EU Council approved this new approach and tocol provides for a reimbursement of 90% of the tax on beef imports term fluctuations of export revenues, triggered by both losses of these particular by improving the excel- to pay out €80M of the €285M foreseen in the decided to allocate an EDF grant of €30M to from several southern African countries, in particular Botswana and revenues and the subsequent deterioration of the public deficit. lence of teaching, consolidating INCO programme under the FP6 agreement strengthen the science and technology capacities in Namibia. local research capacity, and import- (2002-2006). the ACP countries (see below). M-M.B. > Sysmin (1981–2000) ing and adapting scientific innova- During 2008, the new Economic Partnership Agreements (EPAs) tions. Additionally, it seeks to between the EU and all six ACP regions should come into force, and the The Sysmin fund, introduced under the Lomé II Convention, has improve the regional integration of trade protocols and current non-reciprocal preferential regime will dis- enabled countries dependent on particular minerals to receive loans, higher education in the ACP coun- Aids, malaria, tuberculosis: appear to be replaced by a new reciprocal but asymmetric trade regime. and subsequently grants, to maintain their production capacity and, if tries by setting up institutional net- In other words, the EU will offer duty-free and tariff-free entry into its necessary, to diversify their economies. The principal beneficiaries works. The programme was the market as soon as EPAs come into force, except for sugar and rice have been Zambia, the Democratic Republic of Congo (then called subject of three calls for tender the clinical counter-offensive which are subject to a short transition period. ACP countries, on the Zaire), Guinea-Conakry and Jamaica. during the 2006–2008 period for a other hand, will scale back tariffs on imports from the EU gradually total amount of €30.5M and will n 2001, in partnership with scientists and health officials in the most affected countries, the EU over the next 25 years. Simply put, Europe will speed up the opening of This instrument has been replaced by the Flex (see the paragraph above fund projects submitted by at least I launched a major clinical research programme to halt the progress of three transmissible pandemics its markets while at the same time the ACP market openings are on Stabex). The EU’s support to the ACP mining sector has also been three higher education establish- that were ravaging sub-Saharan Africa. The EDCTP (European and Developing Countries Clinical Trials designed to encourage investment, employment and boost growth. provided so far through the European Investment Bank (EIB). F.M. ments from at least two different Programme on poverty-related diseases) project aims to increase and coordinate clinical trials using new ACP States. It is not obligatory for vaccines and forms of treatment in the fight against Aids, tuberculosis and malaria. The EU contributed European universities to partici- € Market in Cotonou, Benin. Developing a Fairtrade cotton system in West Africa. 200M to implementing the EDCTP initiative in addition to national and international funds. © EC/G. Barton © CDE pate, but they are “welcome”. (www.acp-edulink.eu) The challenge is formidable as each pandemic adopts different forms and poses problems of diagnosis, treatment and prevention which are also dependent on specific local conditions, both geographic and Cheikh Anta Diop University, Library, social. For example, plasmodium falciparum, which is present across the whole of Africa, is a very severe Dakar 2005. © Elisabetta Degli Esposti Merli form of malaria that is proving increasingly resistant to known anti-malaria medicines and is responsible for an ever-growing mortality rate among newborns and pregnant women. To counter this it is necessary to test new combinations of treatment and to try possible new vaccines, and at the same time develop new generations of protection based on insecticides. In the case of Aids, the genetic diversity of the HIV virus in Africa poses a major problem, as the use of complex forms of preventative or therapeutic vaccines that are the subject of intense research in the developed countries are, at present, unrealistic for Africa. Research and clinical trials therefore focus on forms of prevention/treatment/vaccination that are adapted to the supply and consumption capacities of the poor countries. Finally, in the face of the resur- gence of a particularly acute and multi-resistant form of tuberculosis, there is not only a lack of new medicines but also of the research to develop them in the first place.

22 SPECIAL ISSUE N.E. - MARCH 2008 23 EPAs and WTO Extending Cooperation Outlook EPAS: Trade for regional growth and prosperity

he six regions of the ACP group: billion to help trade in developing countries ducers and some ACP governments fear Central Africa, East Africa, Southern until 2010 and a further €1 billion from the import tariff revenue losses in signing up for The future Africa, West Africa, the Caribbean EU’s 27 Member States, of which half has an EPA. At the end of December, only one and the Pacific, were expected to been earmarked for ACP nations. regional group, the 14-member Cariforum1 Tconclude Economic Partnership Agreements and the Dominican Republic, had initialled a (EPAs) with the EU by 31 December 2007. EU officials say that EPAs will fast-forward fully-fledged EPA, including goods and other of ACP-EU cooperation Tailor-made for each region, the EPAs free regional integration in each ACP, which will aspects, to assist greater movement of trade trade terms are to replace the existing waiver lead to an increased foothold on the global within the region and between regions, such as for Cotonou’s trade preferences in the World economy and eventually bring greater growth trade in services, investment, government pro- Trade Organisation (WTO), which expired at and prosperity. curement and sustainable development. midnight on 31 December 2007. Several sub-regions within the six ACP hat form will future cooperation between the EU and an end to arbitrary arrests, the elimination of the use of torture in cer- The centrepiece of the agreements is open regions and individual countries had submitted the ACP countries take? Glenys Kinnock, co-presi- tain countries, independence of the judiciary and effective controls on EU officials stress the innovative nature of access to one another’s markets. Under WTO offers to open the substantial part of their mar- dent of the Joint Parliamentary Assembly (JPA), the police”, because we must remember that “pluralistic democratic these regional accords which go further than rules, these agreements must cover “substan- kets to EU goods, paving the way for ‘goods responded to that question by considering the imme- elections are the apotheosis of a system whose end point is democra- opening access for goods and products. On the tially all trade” although the degree of market only’ EPAs to be signed by the end of 2007. Wdiate future: finalising the Economic Partnership Agreements (EPAs). cy, but they are never the beginning”. “A dictatorship cannot be trans- table are also trade in services, public procure- access is open to interpretation. In April 2007 These ‘interim agreements’ will give more formed into a democracy, but a dictatorship can be transformed into ment and investment, and changes to the rules the EU put its offer on the table to open its time to discuss the EPAs’ trade-related con- Over the course of 2008, Glenys Kinnock will be following the enlightened despotism, and represent a move forward that defines of origin to add value to ACP merchandise. market to all imports from ACP nations from 1 tent, which will lead to finalising fully-fledged progress of the EPA negotiations, observing that. so far. the agreements what follows,” concludes Rocard. January 2008, apart from sugar and rice. Due agreements with each by the end of 2008. already signed with various ACP regions only concern trade in goods. EU aid to underpin EPAs is an important chap- to the sensitive nature of these products in the Because of that it is still difficult to gauge what the impact of the agree- Referring to Africa in particular, Kinnock says she is convinced that ter in the agreements. In addition to the global marketplace, the EU proposed lengthier 1 - The 14 members of the Caribbean Forum of states ments on the countries will be. Kinnock also explains that the EPA relations with the EU will “grow and deepen”. “What we must do on €22.682 billion from the 10th European liberalisation timetables for both commodities. (Cariforum) are: Antigua & Barbuda, the Bahamas, negotiations have created a certain bitterness on the part of some ACP the European side is quite simply take our responsibility seriously and Barbados, Belize, Dominica, Grenada, Guyana, Haiti, Development Fund (EDF) for ACP states over Jamaica, St Kitts & Nevis, St Lucia, St Vincent & the countries, and that if they were to perceive the slightest sense of betray- work together to bring people out of poverty.” She adds, “Political five years (2008-2013), the European NGOs in particular have voiced reservations Grenadines, Surinam, and Trinidad and Tobago. al, they could easily turn to other partners – China, India, or, in the case will is all we need to secure change.” She points out that progress has Commission has agreed to an additional €1 about harmful competition for domestic pro- D.P. of the Caribbean countries, the United States. already been made. Gross domestic product figures are rising, infla- tion is falling and the flow of direct foreign investment is increasing. Former French prime minister and member of the European Parliament, Added to that, the percentage of primary school-aged children receiv- Michel Rocard thinks that it would be fitting if the conditions imposed ing full-time education in Africa has risen from 71% to 93% between on aid being made available focused primarily on issues like “putting 1991 and 2004. Kinnock emphasises the unique character of the WTO DIALOGUE

he Cotonou Agreement for the EU’s price guarantees for could be swayed. September 11, Doha couldn’t be envisages dialogue such commodities as ACP sugar seen to be a failure. Everyone held T between the ACP and and bananas. Negotiating for the whole of the their breath over the ensuing ACP- European Union (EU) countries in EU, Commissioner Pascal Lamy EU–Latin and Central America international bodies. The World In principle, it was the European encouraged this initiative whilst consultations over bananas. There Trade Organisation (WTO) is one Commission that should have urging ACP States not to shoulder were some heated exchanges of those world stages where this requested this point be on the the responsibility for the failure of between the negotiating parties widened cooperation is on dis- WTO’s agenda. Due to a belated the entire conference. On the final with the European Commission play, the two partners finding request the session began without day of the meeting, the protest bearing the brunt. In the end, common ground or begging to this point included. Prior to the bloc of ACP-LDC-African Union, however, an agreement was final- differ, according to the subject of meeting, the ACP States had pur- along with other less sizeable ly found within Cotonou; the EU gli amici per costruire, Paola Baistrocchi, Liberi di incontrare The EU-Africa Summit in Lisbon: the President of the EU Commission, debate. A particular example was sued quiet, but all-out diplomacy, stumbling blocks, brought the gave more concessions to third 2007, Manifesta! José Manuel Barroso, and John Kufuor the Chairperson of African Doha where the ACP States sending sherpas to speak with the conference to a standstill. As the countries and, in return, the waiv- © Africa e Mediterraneo Union from 2007 to 2008. © EC Photo Library sought a waiver from WTO rules WTO main players and States that biggest global forum post- er was given for goods. H.G.

24 SPECIAL ISSUE N.E. - MARCH 2008 25

strengths. Only if Africa shows itself capable of producing sound and take charge of its responsibilities and rely primarily on own becoming a dependable partner in the global economy. Africa must tion, take a good look at itself and begin to the necessary steps is of the opinion that Africa’s first priority is to reconsider the situa- As a final word, former Senegalese trade minister, Seydina Oumar Sy, opment questions. recognise a common thread between immigration policies and devel- and their colleagues in foreign affairs are increasingly coming to tion. Indeed, European interior ministers in charge of migration issues the future: politics of development are coming out their isola- relations in a new reality that will undoubtedly characterise EU/ACP Former EU Director General for Development, Dieter Frisch points to as climate change or other global issues that confront all of us. challenges that cannot be dealt with on a purely regional level, such new momentum, says Berhane, will come in discussions on the major tion in their discussions with Europe, whilst retaining unity. This countries now need to find a new momentum and ambi- ACP regions, constitutes a major challenge. The ments with different ACP The new shape of cooperation with the EU, its distinct agree- negotiating positions gave them a great advantage. countries came to realise that coming together with unified the ACP negligible. That said, he admits that during negotiations with the EU, agreement sufficient substance as trade between regions was almost Georgetown Agreement. Unfortunately, they were unable to give the necessarily the cooperation agreement with EU, but wanted to convince themselves that the ACP’s countries group, Ghebray Berhane, says that in the past, ACP sessions. On his part, the former secretary general of ACP JPA that works, resulting in a remarkable solidarity shows during the countries are a strange hybrid. But the mixture is the ACP group itself, Glenys Kinnock asserts that As for the future of ACP the two sides and defines many aspects of development. Cotonou Agreement; she calls it a very special agreement, which links

26 O utlook The Future cchiello raison d’être wasn’t The debate, of course, is still open. complement its own efforts and make them effective. succeed, will it, in his view, receive the necessary external support to convincing plans, and is able to demonstrate a common willingness meet at the EU-Africa Summit in Lisbon between 8 80 EU and African Heads of State Government Tayo Fatunla, Untitled, 2007, Manifesta! and the 9 December 2007. © Africa e Mediterraneo © EC Photo Library F.M. A out Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) States map strategy papers for the 78 African, numerous stakeholders, the individual for Development in consultation with Drawn up by The EC Directorate-General igoi fa C State. The a diagnosis of an ACP more than budgets. Each contains The strategy papers are much are particularly targeted. (EPAs)Partnership Agreements pin the new Economic 10th EDF. Projects which under- doubled, if not tripled, under the groupings has integration of ACP highlight the fact that regional 10 groupings. The target the integration of regional These regional funds specifically Indicative Programmes (RIPs). regions benefiting from Regional Programmes (NIPs), with ACP known as National Indicative plans for the next five years are Respective individual spending lion. Saharan Africa alone to (2008–2013). European Development Fund (EDF) spending over five years under the 10th PCA ISSUE N.E. - MARCH 2008 SPECIAL from the 10 bringing annual commitments African and Pacific countries, of development budget 10 papers launch Country strategy € 22.682 billion been signed with vidual papers had press, 43 of the indi- t the time of going to th th EDF to sub- th EDF’s RIPs € edition 3.3 bil- the first time see a governance. The 10th EDF will for of good ‘fundamental element’ of law and human rights, the tial elements’: the democratic rule ects to promote Cotonou’s ‘essen- states are proj- 10th EDF in ACP Of major importance under the > domestic development priorities. State’s own reflecting an ACP State and region, made to an ACP is a priority. Each paper is tailor- Consultation with non-state actors concert with domestic authorities. States and in delegations in ACP compiles the papers alongside its The EC Development Directorate by the end of EDF in 2013. and national goals to be achieved State make on the part of ACP There are policy commitments to State or regional grouping. ACP one focal sector in the recipient why funds are earmarked to any idea is for each paper to explain 1 incentive Good governance of development € 2.7 billion communication and transport; ment of resources; infrastructure, ronment and sustainable manage- and regional integration; the envi- focal spending essentially to trade EDF limits its range of sectors for initiatives of other donors, the 10th best and to avoid duplicating the Aiming to excel at what it does of M and an RIP States signed NIPs totalling October 2007 where 13 Pacific Pacific Forum meeting in Tonga in people.” He was speaking at the capacity to deliver services your nance, in terms of increasing your your ambitions in terms of gover- ly matters are your commitments, potential to come good. What real- porting what is or has the “What I am interested in is sup- Development, Louis Michel. you,” said EU Commissioner for “You will not catch me moralising systems. agement of financial, tax and legal also encompasses the good man- tries with good governance, which to assist coun- ‘incentive tranche’ O also ‘incentive amounts’ for good governance. implementation of the European Partnership Agreements (EPAs) and EDF will see more focus on regional programmes to underpin the regional cooperation, and regional indicative programmes, for the ACP countries includes programming and implementation of the EDF. The overall amount and Territories (OCTs) and breakdown 10 billion will go to ACP countries, f the th Bruno Bozzetto, L € EDF 22.682 billion in the 10 € 95M. iberi di incontrare gli amici per costruire € € € 430M to the Commission as support for 276 1.5 billion to investment facilities. The € € 17.766 billion to the national and 2.7 billion to intra-ACP and intra- 2013.” priorities and results expected in clearly, country by country, the guarantee of results. They set out added, “The strategy papers are a which amounted to of State Summit on 6 December, for Africa at the Africa-EU Heads Michel at the signing of 31 papers to be taken,” said Commissioner and have agreed on practical steps share the same vision of future ship. Africa and Europe now moving into an ambitious partner- “In signing these papers we are culture. as funding for non-state actors or spending may include such things sion and employment. Non-focal human development, social cohe- prevention and fragile states; ic and institutional reform; conflict human rights; support for econom- ty; governance, democracy and ning, agriculture and food securi- water and energy; territorial plan- (see box). 1- This figure includes th € 286M to Overseas Countries EDF (2008–2013), , 2007, Manifesta! © Africa e Mediterraneo € € 286M for OCTs 8 billion. He € 21.966 27 Africa – Caribbean – Pacific At a glance and European Union countries The ACP-EU Agreements

1957 – Treaty of Rome. Convention of Application - EDF 1 1980 – Lomé II Convention - EDF 5

(1) EEC (6 COUNTRIES)PARTNERS (31 OCTS) EEC (10) ACP (59 : 43 AFR, 9 CARIB, 7 PAC)

France French West Africa comprising: Dahomey, Guinea1, As before, plus As before, plus: Côte d’Ivoire, Mauritania, Niger, Senegal, Sudan, Upper Volta Greece (which Cape Verde, Comoros, Djibouti, Dominica, Kiribati, Papua New French Equatorial Africa, comprising: Cameroon (Trust Territory), joined in 1981) Guinea, St Lucia, Sao Tomé and Principe, Seychelles, Solomon Chad, Middle Congo, Gabon, Ubangi-Chari Islands, Surinam, Tuvalu, Zimbabwe (joined in 1980 after the Other French Territories: autonomous Republic of Togo, convention has been signed by the ACPs) Madagascar, Comoros, French Polynesia, French Southern and (the following have changed their names since joining: Dahomey is Benin, Upper Volta is Burkina Faso) Antarctic territories, Algeria, Réunion, Guyane, Martinique, Guadeloupe, St Pierre and Miquelon, French Somaliland, New Caledonia and dependencies, Surinam (became effectively 1985 – Lomé III Convention - EDF 6 associated on 1 September 1962) Belgium Congo, Ruanda-Urundi CARIBBEAN PACIFIC EEC (12) ACP (66: 45 AFR, 13 CARIB, 8 PAC) Italy Somaliland Antigua and Barbuda The Bahamas Barbados Belize Cuba Dominica Dominican Cook Islands Federated States of Micronesia Fiji Kiribati Marshall Islands Nauru Niue Republic Grenada Guyana Haiti Jamaica Saint Kitts and Nevis Saint Lucia Saint Palau Papua New Guinea Samoa Solomon Islands Timor Leste Tonga Tuvalu Vanuatu Netherlands New Guinea As before, plus As before, plus: Vincent and the Grenadines Surinam Trinidad and Tobago Luxembourg Spain and Angola (joined in 1980 after the convention has been signed by Federal Republic Portugal, (which the ACPs), Antigua and Barbuda, Belize, Mozambique, of Germany joined in 1981) St. Christopher and Nevis, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Vanuatu (1) Guinea left the Association in 1958, but returned for Lome I Note: A “declaration of intent” left open the possibility of association to Surinam, Netherlands Antilles, Morocco, Tunisia and Libya. 1990 – Lomé IV Convention - EDF 7

EEC (12) ACP (69: 46 Africa, 15 Caribbean, 8 Pacific) 1963 – Yaoundé I Convention - EDF 2 As before As before, plus: EEC (6) AASM (Associated African States and Madagascar) (18)* Dominican Republic, Haiti, Namibia (will join after independence in April 1990) As before Burundi (formerly part of Ruanda-Urundi), United Republic of Cameroon1, Central African Republic, Chad, Congo-Brazzaville (Formerly French Congo), Congo Leopoldville (Formerly Belgian 1995 – Revised Lomé IV Convention - EDF 8 Congo), Dahomey, Gabon, Côte d’Ivoire, Madagascar, Mali (for merly part of French Sudan), Mauritania (formerly part of French EEC (15) ACP (70 : 47 Africa, 15 Caribbean, 8 Pacific) Sudan), Niger, Rwanda (formerly part of Ruanda-Urundi), Senegal, Somalia2, Togo, Upper Volta As before As before, plus: Plus Austria, Eritrea * OCTs remaining to Member States of the EEC were the subject of a Council decision, renewed in Finland, Sweden 1970 after Yaoundé II and regularly thereafter. They are not part of the 18 AASM. AFRICA EUROPEAN UNION (which joined on 1- formed in 1961, through the union of French and British Trust Territories of Cameroon. Angola Benin Botswana Burkina Faso Burundi Cameroon Cape Verde Central African Austria Belgium Bulgaria Cyprus Czech Republic Denmark Estonia Finland France 1 January 1995) 2- Comprising former British Somaliland (1960) Republic Chad Comoros Congo (Rep. of) Côte d’Ivoire Democratic Republic of the Germany Greece Hungary Ireland Italy Latvia Lithuania Luxembourg Malta Congo Djibouti Equatorial Guinea Eritrea Ethiopia Gabon Gambia Ghana Guinea Netherlands Poland Portugal Romania Slovakia Slovenia Spain Sweden United Guinea-Bissau Kenya Lesotho Liberia Madagascar Malawi Mali Mauritania Mauritius Kingdom 2000 – Cotonou Agreement - EDF 9 1969 – Yaoundé II Convention - EDF 3 Mozambique Namibia Niger Nigeria Rwanda Sao Tome and Principe Senegal Seychelles Sierra Leone Somalia South Africa Sudan Swaziland Tanzania Togo EEC (15) ACP (77: 48 AFRICA, 15 CARIBBEAN, 14 PACIFIC) Uganda Zambia Zimbabwe EEC (6) AASM (Associated African States and Madagascar) (19) As before As before, plus: As before Burundi, United Republic of Cameroon1, Central African Republic, Cook Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, Marshall Islands, Chad, People Republic of Congo (formerly Congo-Brazzaville), Nauru, Niue, Palau, South Africa Dahomey, Gabon, Côte d’Ivoire, Madagascar, Mali, Mauritania, Mauritius (joined in 1972), Niger, Rwanda, Senegal, Somalia, Togo, Upper Volta, Zaire (formerly Congo-Kinshasa and before 2005 – Revised Cotonou Agreement - EDF 10 that Congo Leopoldville)

(1) Later the Federal Republic of Cameroon EEC (25) ACP (78*: 48 AFRICA, 15 CARIBBEAN*, 15 PACIFIC)

As before plus As before, plus: 1975 – Lomé I Convention - EDF 4 Czech Republic, Cook Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, Marshall Islands, Estonia, Cyprus, Nauru, Niue, Palau, South Africa, Timor Leste Latvia, Lithuania, EEC (9) ACP GROUP, CREATED IN 1975 (46 : 37 AFRICA, 6 CARIB, 3 PAC) Hungary, Malta, As before plus: As before plus: Poland, Slovenia Denmark, Ireland, Commonwealth countries and Slovakia which The lists of countries published by The Courier do not prejudice the status of these countries and territories now or in the future. The Courier uses maps from a variety of sources. United Kingdom Bahamas, Barbados, Botswana, Fiji, Gambia, Ghana, joined on 1 May Their use does not imply recognition of any particular boundaries nor prejudice the status of any state or territory. (which joined Grenada, Guyana, Jamaica, , Kenya, Lesotho, Malawi, 2004) (Romania in 1973) Nigeria, Sierra Leone, Swaziland, Tanzania, Tonga, Trinidad and and Bulgaria to join Tobago, Uganda, Western Samoa, Zambia on 1 January 2007)

* Cuba which joined the ACP Group in December 2002, is not included as it is not part of the ACP- Non Commonwealth Equatorial Guinea, Ethiopia, Guinea (will join later), Guinea-Bissau, EU cooperation Liberia, Sudan

6 The SPECIAL ISSUE C urierMARCH 2008 The magazine of Africa - Caribbean - Pacific & European Union cooperation and relations

50 years of ACP-EU Cooperation

Not for sale ISSN 1784-682X