BRUSSELS: Members of the Organisation of African, Caribbean and Pacific States on Wednesday signed a long-awaited cooperation deal with the European Union.
The new pact inked in Samoa is designed to serve as a legal framework guiding relations between the EU‘s 27 nations and 79 African, Caribbean and Pacific countries for the next two decades.
“The Samoa agreement brings together more than half of the United Nations members, from four continents, around shared priorities and interests,” said EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell.
“At a moment in time where multilateralism is in danger, the fact so many countries can come together and agree on joining forces to face global challenges opens a door for optimism.”
The accord which follows one signed in Cotonou in 2000 lays down “common principles” in key areas such as human rights, climate change and migration.
Negotiations for the agreement began back in 2018, but a final deal was held up by the right-wing government in Hungary over claims it could increase migration.
Budapest dropped its opposition after assurances from Brussels in April, only for Poland’s conservative authorities to throw a spanner in the works for several months.
The delays over the deal caused fears in Brussels that the EU was tarnishing its image at a time it was trying to convince developing nations to take a strong stance against Russia’s war in Ukraine.
The deal is provisionally due to enter into force from the start of 2024.