ACP: LOME CONVENTION

ACP: LOME CONVENTION

LEGAL BASIS

These articles were annexed to the Treaty of European Union in 1993. Articles 186-212( Stabex), 214-219(Sysmin), 240(1)(a) and (b) Lome Convention

OBJECTIVES

To promote the economic, social and cultural development of the African, Carribean and Pacific(ACP)States and to establish close cooperation in a spirit of complete equality, ACP Negotiation. To create a model for relations between developed States and developing countries with a view to a just and balanced world economic order.

ACHIEVEMENTS

Part Four of the EC Treaty, together with an implementing, governed relations between the Community and the overseas countries and territories(OCTS). After these countries gained independence the 18 and later 19 African States, Madagascar and Maritius(ASMM) became associated with the Community under the two Yaounde Conventions (1 June 1964 to 1 June 1969 and 1 January 1971 to 31 January 1975).

The Arusha Convention (1 January 1971 to January 1975) governed trade links with four African States(Kenya, Uganda,Tanzania and Nigeria).

Protocol 22 to the Acts of Accession of the UK, Ireland and Denmark offered 20 Commonwealth countries in Africa, the Carribean and the Pacific the possibility of negotiating with the Community the other organization of their future relations. Other African States that were not member of the Commonwealth or ASMM were also given the same option.

This led to the First Lome Convention(1975-1980) which was signed on 28 February 1975 and came into force on 1 April 1976. The second Lome Convention was signed on 31 October 1979 for a period of five years and came into force on 1 January 1981. The third Lome Convention was signed on December 1984 for a period of five years and entered into force on 1 May 1986.

The Fourth Lome Convention was signed on 15 December 1989 for a period of 10 years (with the possibility of amending the Convention after five years) and came into force on 1 March 1990; the associated Financial Protocol resulting from the mid-term review and the second Financial Protocol associated Lome IV were signed on November 1995.

Signatories

71 ACP States and the 15 Community Member States. The protocol establishing South Africa's partial membership was signed on 24 April 1997 EU SOUTH AFRICA. Somalia which has not ratified the Fourth Lome Convetion, has the option of rejoining the Convention if it wishes to do so(Article 364a)

Areas of cooperation

The environment

agricultural cooperation; food security and rural development, including measures to combat drought and desertification;

indebtedness and structural adjustment;

cooperation on commodities;

industrial development (manufacturing and processing) in conjunction with the development of undertakings;

mining and energy development;

the development of services, including tourism, transport, communication and data-processing;

trade development;

cultural and social cooperation;

regional cooperation.

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