Launch of public consultation on the future of the EU’s partnership with African, Caribbean and Pacific countries after 2020

The European Commission (EC) and the European Union (EU) External Action Service have decided to launch a broad public consultation on the key questions related to the partnerships and relations after 2020, between the EU and the members of the African, Caribbean and Pacific Group of States (ACP).

In this regard, it is essential to take stock of the current Partnership Agreement, to explore the extent to which it remains valid for the future and offers a platform to advance joint interests. A comprehensive review is needed of the assumptions, on which the partnership is based, of its scope, instruments and ways of working.

The results of the public consultation will form a major component of the analysis and as such contribute to set out policy proposals for the future relationship.

In this perspective, the EC is inviting all citizens and organizations from any country or region of the world to take part in this consultation. The consultation is open from 6 October 2015 to 31 December 2015.

The background of this public consolation is that today, EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Federica Mogherini, and the EC have launched this public consultation in anticipation of the expiration of the Cotonou Agreement. It is the most comprehensive partnership agreement that governs the relationship between the EU and the 78 developing countries in Africa, Caribbean and Pacific.

In concrete terms, all interested stakeholders have to make sure to fill in a questionnaire available to all via this link before the end of the consultation period, which extends to the end of this year (31 December 2015).

For more information on the public consultation and the reference documents, visit the website here.