Brussels, 27/10/2015 (Agence Europe) - The content and the geographical scope of the partnership between the EU and ACP countries (Africa/Caribbean/Pacific) after 2020, when the Cotonou Agreement expires, provoked a lengthy reflection and contrasting positions at the development section of the Foreign Affairs Council on Monday 26 October in Luxembourg.
Fifteen delegations intervened in this initial exchange of views between Development Ministers. The discussion was also underpinned by the consultation document from the Commission and the EEAS. This document seeks to gather a maximum amount of contributions on the advantages of the partnership in its three different dimensions (political, development and trade) and its future orientations to adapt to the challenges of a multipolar world with maximum efficiency (see EUROPE11409). All the different participants acknowledged the need to develop this partnership and build the future relationship on the basis of implementing the universal programme for sustainable development the UN provided for the next 15 years. Nonetheless, whilst some of the delegations highlighted the unique character of this partnership and the importance of sustaining it by promoting its advantages, others highlighted the heterogeneous nature of the group and the developments that favoured strengthening regional integration, particularly in Africa.
Several delegations stressed that the EU-ACP relationship has helped to foster a special relationship based on trust over the previous decades of the partnership (Belgium, France, Croatia, Malta and the United Kingdom).
All the different delegations recognised that the partnership had to take more into account the challenges involved in migration and security. Ministers were, overall, prepared to display flexibility and an openness with regard to what approach should be advocated (Belgium, France, Poland, Netherlands and Sweden) but certain delegations expressed a preference for a regional approach, (such as Hungary and Lithuania) or by focusing on more specific groups, particularly the less advanced countries. (Original version in French by Aminata Niang)