Notes

The signing of the Cotonou Agreement’s Economic Partnership Agreements on the 27th September 2002 ushered in a new phase in the relationship between the European Union and the African Caribbean and Pacific Countries.

Its now over one year, since 77 ACP (African, Caribbean and Pacific) countries and the 15 European Union member states signed a comprehensive, twenty-year 'partnership agreement' in Cotonou (Benin). This new partnership was concluded after lengthy discussions and negotiations (1996-2000).

The signing of the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) into law, on May 18th 2000, by the president of the United States of America opened a new trading opportunity to the Sub-Saharan African countries (SSA).

The signing of Cotonou agreement on 23rdJune, 2000, ushered in a new EU-ACP countries’ trading arrangement, which differs from the previous Lome’ trade arrangements. Formal negotiations for cotonou trading arrangements start in September 2002 and by then ACP countries are expected to have decided on their preferred trading arrangement.