Deep-seated differences. The definition of the new agreements between the EU and the ACP has become a political affair that is both dangerous and unpleasant. It is a problem for which no outcome is in sight. The kind of agreements envisaged is rejected in practice by part of the ACP states (mainly in Africa) and criticised by some European political forces and by development cooperation bodies, that accuse such agreements of no longer being effective for the development of the countries...