The Cotonou Agreement, also known as the ACP-EU Partnership Agreement, is a treaty signed between the African, Caribbean, and Pacific (ACP) Group of States and the European Union (EU). The agreement was signed on 23 June 2000 in Cotonou, Benin, and came into effect on 1 April 2003.
The Cotonou Agreement is a comprehensive partnership agreement that covers a wide range of issues such as trade, development cooperation, political dialogue, and human rights. It replaced the previous Lomé Convention, which had been in place since 1975.
One of the key features of the Cotonou Agreement is the creation of the European Development Fund (EDF), which provides financial assistance to the ACP countries. The EDF is financed by the EU member states and has a budget of €30.5 billion for the period 2014-2020.
The Cotonou Agreement also includes provisions on trade, with the aim of promoting regional integration and economic development in the ACP countries. The agreement provides for the gradual integration of the ACP countries into the world economy, while taking into account their specific needs and circumstances.
In addition, the Cotonou Agreement recognizes the importance of good governance and the rule of law in promoting development. The agreement includes provisions on political dialogue and cooperation, with the aim of promoting democracy, human rights, and the rule of law in the ACP countries.
The Cotonou Agreement has been a significant tool for promoting development and cooperation between the ACP countries and the EU. It has helped to promote peace and stability in the ACP regions, while also contributing to sustainable economic growth and poverty reduction.
For UPSC aspirants, understanding the Cotonou Agreement is important in the context of international relations and development cooperation. The agreement is relevant to topics such as trade, regional integration, and governance, and may be covered in the UPSC syllabus. Aspirants should be familiar with the key provisions of the agreement, as well as its impact on the ACP countries and the EU.