Since 2000, the Cotonou Agreement has formed the basis for sub-Saharan Africa-EU co-operation, but it will expire in 2020. Formal negotiations between the two parties to the Cotonou Agreement – the African, Caribbean and Pacific Group of States (ACP) and the EU – will begin this year. Whatever renewed partnership emerges from these talks will play a major part in determining the future relationship between sub-Saharan African countries and EU member states.
While the Cotonou Agreement has had some success, some areas of co-operation have been challenging. Negotiations over Economic Partnership Agreements (EPAs) have been fractious and, between 2006 and 2016, Africa’s share of EU trade declined to fourth. Recently, migration and security have increased the EU’s strategic focus on Africa.
Participants
Koen Vervaeke, Managing Director for Africa, European External Action Service (EEAS)
Chair: Dr Alex Vines OBE, Research Director, Area Studies and International Law; Head, Africa Programme, Chatham House
