The European Union and the Organization of African, Caribbean and Pacific States (OACPS) signed this Wednesday the Association Agreement that will serve as a framework for relations between both blocs for the next 20 years.
The Samoa Agreement, which succeeds the Cotonou Agreement, covers issues such as sustainable development and growth, human rights, peace and security, and serves as a framework for the programs and initiatives covered by the Neighborhood Instrument, Cooperation Development and International Cooperation. – Global Europe (IVCDCI), with a total financial envelope of around €79.5 billion until 2027.
The agreement has provisional application from January 1, 2024 and will enter into force after approval by the European Parliament and ratification by the parties, that is, all EU Member States and at least two thirds of the 79 members of the OEACP.
Pilar Cancela Rodríguez, Spanish Secretary of State for International Cooperation, one of the EU’s co-signers of the agreement, highlighted “the difficult moment of joint global action and a multilateral approach” in which the text was signed, but considered that the agreement “demonstrates that very large and diverse groups of countries can agree on concrete measures to deepen partnerships” and “build a common future,” according to a statement issued by the EU.
Jutta Urpilainen, Commissioner responsible for International Partnerships, the EU’s main negotiator, co-signed the agreement on behalf of the EU and Angolan diplomat George Chikoti, Secretary General of the OASCP, signed the signature uniting the bloc, in a ceremony at attended by Josep Borrell, High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, and the co-president of the ACP-EU Joint Parliamentary Assembly, the socialist MEP Carlos Zorrinho.
The EU pledged to “do everything in its power to harness the collective power of the four regions” covered by the agreement, recalling that “ambitious investment packages were launched under the Global Gateway in all three regions.” [África, Caraíbas e Pacífico]”and that he is “committed to applying them”, in Urpilainen’s terms, cited in the statement.
“At a time when multilateralism is in danger, the fact that so many countries can come together and agree to join forces to face global challenges opens a door to optimism,” said Josep Borrell.
The 27 EU member states and 79 African, Caribbean and Pacific countries together represent around two billion people and more than half of the seats in the United Nations General Assembly.
The new agreement provides a framework for conduct and priorities to respond to emerging needs and global challenges, such as climate change, ocean governance, migration, health, peace and security.
The agreement includes a common basis, which applies to all parties, combined with three regional protocols and respective institutional architectures for Africa, the Caribbean and the Pacific, focused on the specific needs of each region.
Source: TSF
