The European Union (EU) and Liberia maintain a longstanding partnership anchored in political dialogue and development cooperation. As a member of the Organisation of African, Caribbean and Pacific States (OACPS), Liberia is part of the wider EU–OACPS framework, most recently renewed under the Samoa Agreement (signed November 2023).

At the bilateral level, EU–Liberia political relations are guided by regular partnership dialogues, which provide a platform to discuss issues of mutual interest, including democracy, human rights, peace and security, governance reforms, climate change, and sustainable development.

The EU also supports Liberia through development aid, electoral assistance, peacebuilding initiatives, and programs promoting economic growth and resilience, making the partnership both political and developmental in scope. 

EU development aid to Liberia is mainly provided through the European Development Fund (EDF). In 2008-13, the country received €223.8m to rehabilitate its basic infrastructure/social services and to improve governance. The aid was used in line with the approach set out in the EU strategy paper for Liberia. For 2014-2020, the National Indicative Programme (NIP), which has been developed and agreed with the Liberia Government, allocates €279m of EU funding to support good governance, energy, education and agriculture.

In addition, Liberia benefits from regional funds earmarked for West Africa and from a number of thematic programmes. The European Investment Bank also provides support, primarily for infrastructure projects. 

As one of the world’s least developed countries, Liberia benefits from full duty and quota-free access to the EU market for all exports except arms/armaments under the EU's preferential access scheme, Everything But Arms. The EU is Liberia's biggest export market.

Liberia is covered by the regional Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) between the EU and West Africa (ECOWAS). Once it comes in to force, the comprehensive agreement will guarantee Liberia access to the EU market and help to promote regional trade.

In 2013, Liberia's Voluntary Partnership Agreement with the EU — under the FLEGT forestry protection initiative — came into force. The agreement aims to improve forest governance and ensure timber exports to Europe are legal and from a certified country of origin.

Similarly, in 2015, a Fisheries' agreement was signed to regulate fishing activities and establish economic, financial, technical and scientific cooperation in the sector.