• Latest
  • Trending
  • All
  • News
  • Business
  • Politics
  • Science
  • World
  • Lifestyle
  • Tech
Are negotiations for a new Cotonou Agreement on the finish line?

Are negotiations for a new Cotonou Agreement on the finish line?

July 27, 2020
President Biden appears to remove Trump’s Diet Coke button from Oval Office

President Biden appears to remove Trump’s Diet Coke button from Oval Office

January 21, 2021
COVID-19 May ‘Hide’ in Brains and Cause Relapses, Study Says

COVID-19 May ‘Hide’ in Brains and Cause Relapses, Study Says

January 21, 2021
Capitol Police investigate whether GOP Rep. Andy Harris tried to take gun on House floor

Capitol Police investigate whether GOP Rep. Andy Harris tried to take gun on House floor

January 21, 2021
Kamala Harris will live at Blair House while official VP residence is repaired

Kamala Harris will live at Blair House while official VP residence is repaired

January 21, 2021
Social worker who died after secret liposuction in Turkey struggled to communicate with doctors after surgery, inquest hears

Social worker who died after secret liposuction in Turkey struggled to communicate with doctors after surgery, inquest hears

January 21, 2021
Portugal to elect president with country in lockdown

Portugal to elect president with country in lockdown

January 21, 2021
Woman allegedly kills man who murdered her brother

Woman allegedly kills man who murdered her brother

January 21, 2021
Bond, Uncharted and Ghostbusters movies all just got delayed

Bond, Uncharted and Ghostbusters movies all just got delayed

January 21, 2021
The Most Important Planets In Astrology All Depend On Their Influence

The Most Important Planets In Astrology All Depend On Their Influence

January 21, 2021
EU leaders see ‘dark red’ and urge Brussels to speed up vaccine delivery

EU leaders see ‘dark red’ and urge Brussels to speed up vaccine delivery

January 21, 2021
Trump starts taking his second impeachment seriously

Trump starts taking his second impeachment seriously

January 21, 2021
I kicked Mike Lindell’s MyPillows out of bed and finally got a good night’s sleep

I kicked Mike Lindell’s MyPillows out of bed and finally got a good night’s sleep

January 21, 2021
DNYUZ
  • Home
  • News
    • U.S.
    • World
    • Politics
    • Opinion
    • Business
    • Crime
    • Education
    • Environment
    • Science
  • Entertainment
    • Culture
    • Music
    • Movie
    • Television
    • Theater
    • Gaming
    • Sports
  • Tech
    • Apps
    • Autos
    • Gear
    • Mobile
    • Startup
  • Lifestyle
    • Arts
    • Fashion
    • Food
    • Health
    • Travel
No Result
View All Result
DNYUZ
No Result
View All Result
Home News World Africa

Are negotiations for a new Cotonou Agreement on the finish line?

July 27, 2020
in Africa, News
Are negotiations for a new Cotonou Agreement on the finish line?
515
SHARES
1.5k
VIEWS
Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

After a break of several months due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the 28-member European Union and the 79-member Organization of African, Caribbean and Pacific States (OACPS)

“I am pleased that we are getting closer and closer to the finish line,” EU chief negotiator Jutta Urpilainen said at the virtual opening session. Her OACPS counterpart, Robert Dussey, kept a diplomatic reserve: the negotiations were “satisfactory”. 

Both sides stress that they want to reach a deal soon. It is necessary. The Cotonou Agreement has been the framework for relations between the EU and the countries known previously as the African, Caribbean and Pacific Group of States (ACP ) for 20 years. It expires at the end of the year. Most OACPS countries are located in Africa.

Negotiations on a new pact have been dragging on since 2018. There is a lot at stake: political relations, the economy, trade and development policy.

A marathon with an uncertain outcome

“We are in the final phase of the negotiations,” an European Commission spokeswoman told DW. There is agreement on over 95% of the treaty text. The commission however declined to provide precise details or an interview.

Experts are cautious: “Everyone who has ever run a marathon knows that the last five percent are the hardest. In the end, they decide whether you stand with a good result or with sore muscles,” Niels Keijzer, a senior researcher at the German Development Institute (DIE), told DW.

Things have not been as simple as they were in 2000, when the Cotonou Agreement came into force. “Africa and Europe want to expand and deepen their relations. But the African side also wants their priorities to be taken more into account,” says John Maré, who, as a South African diplomat, negotiated several agreements with the EU.

Many African countries are calling for a new course, especially in trade relations. The Cotonou Agreement laid the foundations for the controversial Economic Partnership Agreements (EPAs). The EU has negotiated such agreements with various OACPS members in recent years. In essence, both sides agree to dismantle customs duties and other trade barriers and to open their markets to each other’s products. “The agreements are perceived as unfair in Africa,” says Maré.

Critics accuse the EU of flooding local markets with cheap imports like meat and destroying local economies. The EU rejects this.

Competition with the pan-African free trade zone

The African OACPS members are also offended by the fact that the EU has negotiated EPAs with individual states. The African Union (AU) is trying to establish an Africa-wide free trade area. But if different states have their own arrangements with the EU, this makes things difficult. “These agreements have caused much division and fragmentation of the African position,” Carlos Lopes, the AU’s representative for relations with Europe, said in early June.

Experts see the dispute over EPAs as the biggest obstacle on the way to a new agreement. But it does not look as if the EU will give in. It would also be difficult: “A new agreement cannot fundamentally influence the partnership agreements. They are independent international treaties that cannot be substantially changed by a new agreement,” said DIE expert Keijzer. Instead, the EU would rather promise additional aid to make it easier for African states to trade with Europe: money for infrastructure measures or border management, for example.

Agreement only next year?

There is also a dispute about money. The Cotonou Agreement also regulated financial relations. In the last six years, the OACPS collectively received more than €30 billion ($35 billion) in development aid from Brussels. Governments of poor countries want it to stay that way. “The ACP countries have pressed for a financial protocol to become part of the agreement,” says expert Keijzer. The EU, on the other hand, is cautious and only wants to make general commitments. In future, money is to come from the regular budget. However, this will have to be decided on by the member states every year. A risk for the OACPS. 

This leaves many open questions. Despite official optimism, former diplomat Maré remains skeptical about the conclusion of the negotiations: “I don’t expect it to happen this year. I rather believe that the Cotonou Agreement will be renewed.”

The post Are negotiations for a new Cotonou Agreement on the finish line? appeared first on Deutsche Welle.

Share206Tweet129Share

Trending Posts

Judge says Amazon won’t have to restore Parler web service

Judge says Amazon won’t have to restore Parler web service

January 21, 2021
Proud Boys involved in Capitol riot benefit from Christian fundraising website

Army changes account of key phone call on response to Capitol riot

January 21, 2021
A Cabinet That ‘Looks Like America.’ But Who Does the Talking?

A Cabinet That ‘Looks Like America.’ But Who Does the Talking?

January 21, 2021
McConnell Seeks Impeachment Trial Delay as Senate Dysfunction Reigns

McConnell Seeks Impeachment Trial Delay as Senate Dysfunction Reigns

January 21, 2021
Psaki Tries to Strike a New Tone in the White House Briefing Room

Psaki Tries to Strike a New Tone in the White House Briefing Room

January 21, 2021

Copyright © 2020.

Site Navigation

  • About
  • Advertise
  • Privacy & Policy
  • Contact

Follow Us

No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • News
    • U.S.
    • World
    • Politics
    • Opinion
    • Business
    • Crime
    • Education
    • Environment
    • Science
  • Entertainment
    • Culture
    • Gaming
    • Music
    • Movie
    • Sports
    • Television
    • Theater
  • Tech
    • Apps
    • Autos
    • Gear
    • Mobile
    • Startup
  • Lifestyle
    • Arts
    • Fashion
    • Food
    • Health
    • Travel

Copyright © 2020.

We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. By clicking “Accept”, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies.
Cookie settingsACCEPT
Privacy & Cookies Policy

Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these cookies, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may have an effect on your browsing experience.
Necessary
Always Enabled

Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. These cookies do not store any personal information.

Non-necessary

Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website.