Saturday, June 8, 2013

Somalia accepted in EU-ACP partnership deal

The ministerial meeting between the European Union and the countries of Africa, Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) Friday approved Somalia's request to access the Cotonou Agreement.

"The decision in relation to Somalia's accession opens a new chapter in relations between the EU and Somalia and constitutes a visible sign that Somalia has regained its status as a fully-fledged member of the international community," Irish Minister of State for Trade and Development, Joe Costello, told a press conference after the meeting in Brussels this afternoon.

Costello chaired the meeting on behalf of the EU as Ireland holds the current EU Presidency.
The EU-ACP Ministerial Council, which meets on an annual basis, is composed of representatives from over 70 African Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) States as well as representatives of EU Member States and the European Commission.

Since 2000, the Cotonou agreement has been the framework for the EU's relations with ACP.

Phandu Skelemani, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Botswana, who chaired the meeting on behalf of ACP welcomed the decision to support Somalia's membership.

"Somalia will benefit greatly from this," he told the joint press conference.

On his part, the ambassador of Somalia to the EU, Nur Adde, said he feels honourd and grateful for the accession in the EU-ACP partnership agreement.

"After 20 years Somalia is now back to to EU-ACP family as a full member. This accession will open for Somalia a new avenue, a new opportunity of the Somalia people," added Adde.

Meanwhile, the ministerial meeting also approved over 31.5 billion euro of funding for EU development cooperation with ACP countries for the period 2014-20.

Source: Kuwait News Agency
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The Cotonou Agreement is the most comprehensive partnership agreement between developing countries and the EU. Since 2000, it has been the framework for the EU's relations with 79 countries from Africa, the Caribbean and the Pacific (ACP). In March 2010, the European Commission and the African Caribbean Pacific group have concluded the second revision of the Cotonou Partnership Agreement following a first revision in 2001. ACP-EU cooperation has been adapted to new challenges, such as climate change, food security, regional integration, State fragility and aid effectiveness

The 2010 consolidated version pdf - 562 KB [562 KB] français (fr) of the second revision of the Cotonou Agreement is now available. However,the document cannot be used as an official reference, as only the text of the Agreement amending the Partnership Agreement and published in the paper edition of the Official Journal of the European Union is deemed authentic.  
The second revision  adapts the partnership to changes which have taken place over the last decade

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