"From Lome to Cotonou: Business as usual?"

Babarinde, Olufemi and Faber, Gerrit. (2003) "From Lome to Cotonou: Business as usual?" . In European Union Studies Association (EUSA) > Biennial Conference > 2003 (8th), March 27-29, 2003, pages 36, Nashville, TN.

Abstract

We will argue in this paper that there are a number of forces impacting upon the longstanding ACP-EU relationship that are altering the nature of the relationship in a fundamental way. The new agreement is in a reality both a product of and an impetus for this change. In order to make it acceptable for all parties, the most far-reaching changes have been left for later decision and the old Lome jargons have been kept. This should not hide the crucial changes that are presently taking place. We will first analyze the forces that make these changes inevitable. In section two we discuss the forces in the environment of the ACP-EU cooperation. In section three we will look at the effectiveness of the Lome model. We will turn to the changing position of the ACP countries in the external relations of the EU in section four. Section five will analyze the Cotonou Agreement. Section six will take stock of the visible changes in the relationship. Section seven summarizes and concludes.