The Post Cotonou Agreement (PCA) will be the core political, economic, social, environmental, and cultural framework governing EU relations with Africa, Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) states. It is currently being negotiated with a view to adoption in October 2019. It will replace the Cotonou Agreement between the EU and ACP states which expires in 2020.  While the PCA is being portrayed by the EU as an equal and mutually beneficial partnership, based on common foundations, objectives, principles, priorities and increased cooperation, there is deep concern among Pacific CSOs that this proposed binding agreement will be primarily framed in the interests of the EU, which has made its interests very clear, and will be detrimental to ACP states.  The PCA will be in force for 20 years. It will be underpinned by a Foundational agreement, and will include three regional protocols –  EU-Africa; EU-Caribbean and EU-Pacific.  

DAWN has been closely working with Pacific CSOs based in Fiji to analyse PCA draft documents that have been made available, and make submissions to PACP states, flagging major issues of concern in the EU’s Negotiating Directives, and calling on PACP governments to act firmly to protect Pacific Island interests. You can read the Pacific CSOs’ Submissions to PACP states here. We would be interested to receive information on critical CSO positions on the PCA in other ACP regions.