Brussels, 17/01/2002 (Agence Europe) - With the adoption of the report by French Green member Didier Claude Rod, the European Parliament gave its assent, on Wednesday in Strasbourg, to the proposal for ratification by the Community of the Cotonou Agreement signed on 23 June 2000 between the European Union and the ACP States (Africa, Caribbean/Pacific). Assent procedure does not allow the Parliament to amend the text of this development partnership agreement, but the resolution adopted in plenary contains a comprehensive and critical analysis of the economic and political implications of the new agreement (see EUROPE of 12 January, p.10).
EUROPE recalls that, in order to take effect officially, the Cotonou Agreement (the essential provisions of which are already implemented under transitional measures which do not, however, cover the financial section) must be ratified by the European Community and by the national parliaments of the 92 signatory parties (the 15 Union Member States and 77 ACP countries).