The Cotonou Partnership agreement contributes considerably to the eradication of poverty, increases integration of the ACP countries into the world economy and enhances the capacity of regional organisations to intervene in conflict management, according to the evaluation. 

The EU Commissioner for International Cooperation and Development Neven Mimica said: “The findings of this evaluation are an important step forward in terms of putting in place our future relationship with ACP partners. It allows us to build on existing successes and improve in areas where progress can still be made. With one single objective in mind: bringing more prosperity to all”.

The current agreement with the EU and its ACP partners - the Cotonou Agreement - runs from 2000 until 2020. It has a huge geographic scope, with 78 ACP countries adhering to it, and is wide ranging, as it covers many policy areas.

The evaluation, carried out by the European Commission and the EEAS, will be used to draw lessons from the past and provide inputs to the reflection process on how to govern relations with ACP countries after 2020.

The evaluation, as well as further information, is available here.