In a draft non-binding resolution on the modalities of the partnership between the EU and the 79 ACP (Africa, Caribbean and Pacific) countries after 2020, MEPs from the European Parliament's development committee confirmed their hopes, on Tuesday 24 April, for a renewed and updated partnership that is more political and more open to civil society and the private sector, and that can enable the challenges of the 21st Century to be addressed together more effectively (see EUROPE 11948).
"The ACP group must remain a key partner", the chair of the development committee, Linda McAvan (S&D, UK) stated, hailing the emphasis on the regional dimension of the future cooperation. The ACP countries, which put great importance on the unity of their group, were delighted at McAvan's words.
The MEPs would like the key elements of the Cotonou Agreement (human rights, democracy, the rule of law and good governance), as well as the political dialogue, to be retained at the centre of the cooperation, with an enhanced parliamentary dimension.
They advocate the establishment of a mechanism enabling civil society to report on violations of human rights.
The MEPs also insist on the need for cooperation focused on results. In their view, the agreement should contain explicit references to responsibility and to mechanisms for monitoring obligations. In the Commission's draft negotiation mandate, the MEPs would furthermore like an emphasis put on the returns and readmission of migrants, counterbalanced by strong language on the routes of legal migration. They would also like support for sustainable agricultural practices to be included in this mandate. (Original version in French by Aminata Niang)