EU/Organisation of African, Caribbean and Pacific States (OACPS) Partnership Agreement

PURPOSE: to conclude, on behalf of the European Union, the Partnership Agreement between the European Union and its Member States, of the one part, and the Members of the Organisation of African, Caribbean and Pacific States, of the other part.

PROPOSED ACT: Council Decision.

ROLE OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT: Council may adopt the act only if Parliament has given its consent to the act.

BACKGROUND: in accordance with Council Decision (EU) 2023/2862, the Partnership Agreement between the European Union and its Member States, of the one part, and the Members of the Organisation of African, Caribbean and Pacific States, of the other part was signed on 15 November 2023, subject to its conclusion at a later date. The Agreement reflects both the historically close relationship and increasingly strong links developing between the Union and its Member States, of the one part, and the Members of the Organisation of African, Caribbean and Pacific States, of the other part, and their desire to further strengthen and extend their relations in an ambitious and innovative way. The Agreement redefines the relationship between the Union and its Member States and the Members of the Organisation of African, Caribbean and Pacific States, including the priorities and working methods in the different policy domains which the Agreement covers.

The conclusion of the Agreement is without prejudice to the exercise by the Member States of their national competences, in particular in the areas of development cooperation, education and migration, in accordance with the Treaties, and does not affect the responsibilities of the Member States in accordance with the Treaties.

The Agreement should be approved on behalf of the European Union.

CONTENT: the Council draft concerns the approval, on behalf of the Union, of the Partnership Agreement between the European Union and its Member States, of the one part, and the Members of the Organisation of African, Caribbean and Pacific States, of the other part.

The renewed Agreement will take the form of an association agreement and be concluded for a period of twenty years.

The specific objectives of the new Agreement are to:

- promote, protect and fulfil human rights, democratic principles, the rule of law and good governance, paying particular attention to gender equality;

- build peaceful and resilient states and societies, tackling ongoing and emerging threats to peace and security;

- foster human and social development, and in particular to eradicate poverty and address inequalities, ensuring that everyone enjoys a life of dignity and that no one is left behind, with special attention paid to women and girls;

- mobilise investment, support trade and foster private-sector development, with a view to achieving sustainable and inclusive growth and creating decent jobs for all;

- combat climate change, protect the environment and ensure the sustainable management of natural resources; and

- implement a comprehensive and balanced approach to migration, so as to reap the benefits of safe, orderly and regular migration and mobility, stem irregular migration while addressing its root causes, in full respect of international law and in accordance with the Parties’ respective competences.

The Agreement also fosters strengthened cooperation, both sectoral and political, including on foreign policy issues of common interest. These include peacekeeping, terrorism, situations of fragility, death penalty with unprecedented provisions.