EU Delegation to China celebrates new EU-ACP Samoa Agreement
On 24th January 2024, representatives of the Delegation of the European Union to China, EU Member States and African, Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) States gathered to celebrate the recent signature of the “Samoa Agreement” (Samoa, 15th November 2023).
The event took place at the EU Delegation to China and was opened by the Ambassador of the European Union to China, Jorge Toledo, and the Ambassador of Samoa, Albert Mariner. Around 80 people attended the event.
The Samoa Agreement, which provisionally entered into force on 1st January 2024 covering 79 ACP countries (48 countries in Africa, 16 countries in the Caribbean and 15 in the Pacific) replaces the Cotonou Agreement adopted in 2000. Over the last 23 years, this latter promoted cooperation on peace and security, helped to boost trade relations between these regions by 60% and facilitated the signature of 7 Economic Partnership Agreements.
The signature of the new Samoa Agreement is a landmark and historic moment for relations between the European Union and ACP. It will last for at least 20 years and will benefit around 2 billion people.
The agreement is more ambitious than its predecessors, aiming to meet the challenges of our times and better respond to the needs of ACP countries. In particular, it is based on six key priorities: human rights, democracy and governance; peace and security; human and social development; inclusive, sustainable economic growth and development; environmental sustainability and climate change; and migration and mobility.
Finally, it recognises the importance of the engagement with stakeholders, notably local authorities, civil society, and private sector representatives. These inclusive partnerships are crucial to furthering the objectives of the partnership.
Today, working as “Team Europe”, the EU and its Member States are already strengthening relations with all ACP countries through Global Gateway, the EU’s strategy to spur sustainable and secure investments in partner countries.
In Africa, the EU will invest at least EUR 150 billion by 2027 through the “Global Gateway Africa-Europe Investment Package”. This includes delivering on 11 strategic corridors – from constructing the Rosso Bridge between Mauritania and Senegal, to modernising highways in Kenya.
In the Caribbean, through the “EU-Latin America and the Caribbean Investment Agenda” launched last July, the EU will help the region to address its infrastructure needs while promoting growth, jobs and social cohesion.
In the Pacific, the EU is already collaborating closely with the European Investment Bank to implement the regional “Green Blue Alliance for the Pacific”.
More information and the official text of the “Samoa Agreement” can be found at: https://www.consilium.europa.eu/en/policies/samoa-agreement/