Acp Ec Convention Of Lome

The Lomé IV Convention, which provides the framework for development co-operation between the European Union (EU) and 71 African, Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) states, expires in the year 2000. The form that a successor arrangement would take, will be of considerable importance to the ACP countries, more than half of which belong to the Commonwealth. This study examines the possible options for the next phase of ACP-EU co-operation, addressing the diverse trade and development interests of ACP countries.

Human rights, democracy and governance concerns are prominent elements in the development cooperation policy of the European Community. The relations between the European Community (EC) and 71 developing countries in Africa, the Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) have proved to be a laboratory for developing ideas on these matters, for translating them into binding treaty norms, and for applying them in practice. The experiences gained in the ACP-EC relationship carry special value because they are the product of dialogue and joint decision-making between groups of developed and developing states. Therefore, 25 years of ACP-EC cooperation under the Lomé Convention provide a rich learning ground for anybody involved or interested in (the debate on) linking development cooperation to human rights and to human rights related concerns. This book explores the international law aspects of the subject. It first investigates the general international legal basis for linking development cooperation to human rights, democracy and good governance. Both the negative and positive ways of making such a linking (by punitive and supportive measures) are addressed. The book then delves into the evolution of Lomé treaty norms on the subject, and into the concrete human rights practices that took shape under them. It explores the contributions to and influence of both the EC and ACP states on those treaty provisions and practices. A comprehensive overview is provided of the support measures and sanctions resorted to in response to the human rights situation in ACP countries. The book assesses the overall experiences gained and presents a synthesis of factors that proved to be constraints or conducive to the efforts to integrate human rights fully into ACP-EC development cooperation. The insights gained could well inform similar efforts undertaken by others.

In recent years the Lome Conventions have guided trade and economic relations between the EEC and more than 60 African, Caribbean, and Pacific nations (ACP). Addressed to the development needs of the ACP, the treaties include provisions for expanding export trade, stabilizing export earnings levels, providing multilateral aid, assisting in mineral and fuel production, and bolstering investment and technology transfer from the EEC to ACP countries. This book reviews the Lome provisions and the expectations surrounding them and provides a concise economic analysis of the results of the first Lome accord (1975-1979). It also examines Lome's effects on U.S. international economic interests. Dr. Moss's analysis shows that many provisions of the Lome Conventions have not had the results hoped for, particularly from the perspective of the developing nations, but that they do provide some benefits to the ACP and give the European Economic Community an advantage over the U.S. in trade with ACP nations. She concludes by suggesting steps the U.S. might take to improve its position regarding trade and aid to developing countries.

By early 2000, a new trade agreement must be negotiated between the 72 countries of the African, Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) group and the European Union, to replace Lome IV. This volume features: a commentary on the EU's proposals for the new trade arrangements.