EU unveils renewed, tailored partnership with 78 ACP countries

The European Union (EU) on Tuesday set out a renewed, tailored partnership with 78 African, Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) countries, eyeing sustainable relations after 2020 when a guiding agreement expires.

EU foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini and Commissioner for International Cooperation and Development Neven Mimica, in a joint communication, proposed significant changes with ACP countries, the European Commission said in a press release.

The changes presented in the communication are coherent with the UN 2030 Agenda, which "provides a universal set of common objectives and the global strategy for the EU's foreign and security policy."

Current EU-ACP cooperation is based on the Cotonou Partnership Agreement, which entered into force in April 2003 and has been revised in 2005 and 2010 in accordance with the revision clause to re-examine the agreement every five years.

The relationship focused on the eradication of poverty, sustainable development and the gradual integration of ACP countries in the world economy.

In 2010, EU-ACP cooperation was revised to tackle new challenges such as climate change, food security, regional integration, state fragility and aid effectiveness. The agreement will expire in 2020. Endit