The Organisation of African, Caribbean and Pacific States (OACPS) Secretary-General, Georges Rebelo Chikoti has welcomed the European Union’s final approval for the signing of the Post-Cotonou agreement.
Chikoti said this is indeed a historic milestone that symbolises the strengthening of relations between Europe and Members of the OACPS.
Applauding all those engaged in the Post-Cotonou negotiations, Chikoti salutes the Chief Negotiator, esteemed Ambassadors, Co-presidents of the ACP-EU Parliamentary Assembly, and OACPS Secretariat staff.
“Congratulations to you, to your team, and also to all those who from near or far, have contributed to this common success. Gratitude to all @PressACP colleagues, to our reciprocal parliamentarians. All your efforts have been rewarded. Long live cooperation between the European Union and the African, Caribbean and Pacific states,” said Robert Dussey, Minister of Foreign Affairs Togo on twitter.
“In April 2021, we concluded the negotiations on the new ACP-EU, the framework for cooperation between European Union and African, Caribbean and Pacific states.
European Union side has now agreed to proceed towards its signature. I’m grateful to all involved, and look forward to an ever deeper partnership,” said Jutta Urpilainen, EU Commissioner for International Partnerships on twitter.
In the context of the EU-CELAC Summit, the Spanish Presidency has promoted the Post-Cotonou Agreement, a milestone in the relations of the European Union with the Organisation of African, Caribbean and Pacific States (OACP) that will promote sustainable development.
Thus, the green light is finally given for the signing of this agreement after years of negotiation and two and a half years since it was signed. Work now begins to develop a renewed cooperation agreement between 79 ACP countries and the EU.
“We look forward to the signature of the partnership agreement between the Organisation of African, Caribbean and Pacific States and the European Union and its Member States and the implementation of the regional protocol, which will further strengthen relations between the Caribbean and the EU,” the declaration of the EU-CELAC Summit in Brussels stated.
The Post Cotonou Agreement is structured in a common way and based on three regional protocols, including a specific one for the Caribbean. It will focus on six priorities:
* Human rights, democracy and governance.
*Peace and security.
*Human and social development.
*Inclusive and sustainable economic growth.
*Environmental sustainability and climate change.
*Migration and mobility.
SOURCE: PACNEWS/OACPS
