Future Africa-Caribbean-Pacific States/EU Partnership - #Cotonou negotiations resume at ministerial level

The EU and the Organization of African, Caribbean and Pacific Sates (OACPS), formerly named the ACP Group of States, have resumed talks at the highest political level. This is the first meeting since the start of the coronavirus pandemic, with the objective to advance talks towards the finishing line on the new ‘Post Cotonou' agreement. It provided an important opportunity for the chief negotiators, Commissioner for International Partnerships, Jutta Urpilainen, and for the OACPS Professor Robert Dussey to build on the work, which has continued at technical level over recent weeks.

Welcoming this step forward in the negotiation talks, Commissioner Urpilainen said: “The ongoing negotiations with OACPS countries remain a priority. Despite the disruption caused by the coronavirus pandemic, the negotiations are progressing in the same cordial spirit that has guided our talks until now. I am pleased to see that we are getting closer and closer to the finishing line.” The Cotonou Agreement, which governs relations between the EU and OACPS countries, was initially scheduled to expire on 29 February. As negotiations on a new partnership are still ongoing, parties have decided to extend the current agreement until 31 December. More information is available in the press release.

Share this article: