2000/483/EC: Partnership agreement between the members of the African, Caribbean and Pacific Group of States of the one part, and the European Community and its Member States, of the other part, signed in Cotonou on 23 June 2000 - Protocols - Final Act - Declarations

PARTNERSHIP AGREEMENT

between the members of the African, Caribbean and Pacific Group of States of the one part, and the European Community and its Member States, of the other part, signed in Cotonou on 23 June 2000

TABLE OF CONTENTS	TABLE OF CONTENTS
PREAMBLE
PART 1:	GENERAL PROVISIONS
Title I —	Objectives, principles and actors
Chapter 1:	Objectives and principles
Chapter 2:	The actors of the partnership
Title II —	The political dimension
PART 2:	INSTITUTIONAL PROVISIONS
PART 3:	COOPERATION STRATEGIES
Title I —	Development strategies
Chapter 1:	General framework
Chapter 2:	Areas of support
Section 1:	Economic development
Section 2:	Social and human development
Section 3:	Regional Cooperation and Integration
Section 4:	Thematic and cross-cutting issues
Title II —	Economic and trade Cooperation
Chapter 1:	Objectives and principles
Chapter 2:	New trading arrangements
Chapter 3:	Cooperation in the international fora
Chapter 4:	Trade in services
Chapter 5:	Trade-related areas
Chapter 6:	Cooperation in other areas
PART 4:	DEVELOPMENT FINANCE COOPERATION
Title I —	General provisions
Chapter 1:	Objectives, principles, guidelines and eligibility
Chapter 2:	Scope and nature of financing
Title II —	Financial cooperation
Chapter 1:	Financial resources
Chapter 2:	Debt and structural adjustment support
Chapter 3:	Support in case of exogenous shocks
Chapter 4:	Support for sectoral policies
Chapter 5:	Microprojects and decentralised cooperation
Chapter 6:	Humanitarian, emergency and post-emergency assistance
Chapter 7:	Investment and private sector development support
Title III —	Technical cooperation
Title IV —	Procedures and management systems
PART 5:	GENERAL PROVISIONS FOR THE LEAST-DEVELOPED, LANDLOCKED AND ISLAND ACP STATES (LDLICS)
Chapter 1:	General provisions
Chapter 2:	Least-developed ACP States
Chapter 3:	Landlocked ACP States
Chapter 4:	Island ACP States
PART 6:	FINAL PROVISIONS

PREAMBLE

HAVING REGARD TO the Treaty establishing the European Community, on the one hand, and the Georgetown Agreement establishing the Group of African, Caribbean and Pacific States (ACP), on the other;

AFFIRMING their commitment to work together towards the achievement of the objectives of poverty eradication, sustainable development and the gradual integration of the ACP countries into the world economy;

ASSERTING their resolve to make, through their cooperation, a significant contribution to the economic, social and cultural development of the ACP States and to the greater well-being of their population, helping them facing the challenges of globalisation and strengthening the ACP-EU Partnership in the effort to give the process of globalisation a stronger social dimension;

REAFFIRMING their willingness to revitalise their special relationship and to implement a comprehensive and integrated approach for a strengthened partnership based on political dialogue, development cooperation and economic and trade relations;

ACKNOWLEDGING that a political environment guaranteeing peace, security and stability, respect for human rights, democratic principles and the rule of law, and good governance is part and parcel of long term development; acknowledging that responsibility for establishing such an environment rests primarily with the countries concerned;

ACKNOWLEDGING that sound and sustainable economic policies are prerequisites for development;

REFERRING to the principles of the Charter of the United Nations, and recalling the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the conclusions of the 1993 Vienna Conference on Human Rights, the Covenants on Civil and Political Rights and on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, the Convention on the Rights of the Child, the Convention on the Elimination of all forms of Discrimination against Women, the International Convention on the Elimination of all forms of Racial Discrimination, the 1949 Geneva Conventions and the other instruments of international humanitarian law, the 1954 Convention relating to the status of stateless persons, the 1951 Geneva Convention relating to the Status of Refugees and the 1967 New York Protocol relating to the Status of Refugees;

CONSIDERING the Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms of the Council of Europe, the African Charter on Human and Peoples' Rights and the American Convention on Human Rights as positive regional contributions to the respect of human rights in the European Union and in the ACP States;

REAFFIRMING that the most serious crimes of concern to the international community must not go unpunished and that their effective prosecution must be ensured by taking measures at national level and by enhancing global collaboration;

CONSIDERING that the establishment and effective functioning of the International Criminal Court constitutes an important development for peace and international justice;

RECALLING the declarations of the successive Summits of the Heads of State and Government of ACP States;

CONSIDERING that the Millennium Development Goals emanating from the Millennium Declaration adopted by the United Nations General Assembly in 2000, in particular the eradication of extreme poverty and hunger, as well as the development targets and principles agreed in the United Nations Conferences, provide for a clear vision and must underpin ACP-EU cooperation within this Agreement; acknowledging that the EU and the ACP States need to make a concerted effort to accelerate progress towards attaining the Millennium Development Goals;

SUBSCRIBING to the aid effectiveness agenda started in Rome, pursued in Paris and further developed in the Accra Agenda for Action;

PAYING particular attention to the pledges made and objectives agreed at major UN and other international conferences and acknowledging the need for further action to be taken in order to achieve the goals and implement the action programmes which have been drawn up in those fora;

AWARE of the serious global environmental challenge posed by climate change, and deeply concerned that the most vulnerable populations live in developing countries, in particular in Least Developed Countries and Small Island ACP States, where climate-related phenomena such as sea level rise, coastal erosion, flooding, droughts and desertification are threatening their livelihoods and sustainable development;

ANXIOUS to respect basic labour rights, taking account of the principles laid down in the relevant conventions of the International Labour Organisation;

RECALLING the commitments within the framework of the World Trade Organisation,

HAVE DECIDED TO CONCLUDE THIS AGREEMENT:

PART 1

GENERAL PROVISIONS

TITLE I OBJECTIVES, PRINCIPLES AND ACTORS

CHAPTER 1 Objectives and principles

Article 1

Objectives of the partnership

The Community and its Member States, of the one part, and the ACP States, of the other part, hereinafter referred to as the ‘Parties’ hereby conclude this Agreement in order to promote and expedite the economic, cultural and social development of the ACP States, with a view to contributing to peace and security and to promoting a stable and democratic political environment.

The partnership shall be centred on the objective of reducing and eventually eradicating poverty consistent with the objectives of sustainable development and the gradual integration of the ACP countries into the world economy.

These objectives and the Parties' international commitments, including the Millennium Development Goals, shall inform all development strategies and shall be tackled through an integrated approach taking account at the same time of the political, economic, social, cultural and environmental aspects of development. The partnership shall provide a coherent support framework for the development strategies adopted by each ACP State.

Sustained economic growth, developing the private sector, increasing employment and improving access to productive resources shall all be part of this framework. Support shall be given to the respect of the rights of the individual and meeting basic needs, the promotion of social development and the conditions for an equitable distribution of the fruits of growth. Regional and sub-regional integration processes which foster the integration of the ACP countries into the world economy in terms of trade and private investment shall be encouraged and supported. Building the capacity of the actors in development and improving the institutional framework necessary for social cohesion, for the functioning of a democratic society and market economy, and for the emergence of an active and organised civil society shall be integral to the approach. Systematic account shall be taken of the situation of women and gender issues in all areas - political, economic and social. The principles of sustainable management of natural resources and the environment, including climate change, shall be applied and integrated at every level of the partnership.

Article 2

Fundamental principles

ACP-EC cooperation, underpinned by a legally binding system and the existence of joint institutions, shall be guided by the internationally agreed aid effectiveness agenda regarding ownership, alignment, harmonisation, results-oriented aid management and mutual accountability, exercised on the basis of the following fundamental principles:

• — equality of the partners and ownership of the development strategies: for the purposes of implementing the objectives of the partnership, the ACP States shall determine the development strategies for their economies and societies in all sovereignty and with due regard for the essential and fundamental elements described in Article 9; the partnership shall encourage ownership of the development strategies by the countries and populations concerned; EU development partners shall align their programmes with these strategies;

• — participation: apart from central government as the main partner, the partnership shall be open to ACP parliaments, and local authorities in ACP States and different kinds of other actors in order to encourage the integration of all sections of society, including the private sector and civil society organisations, into the mainstream of political, economic and social life;

• — the pivotal role of dialogue and the fulfilment of mutual obligations and accountability: the obligations assumed by the Parties in the framework of their dialogue shall be central to their partnership and cooperation relations; the Parties shall work closely together in determining and implementing the necessary processes of donor alignment and harmonisation, with a view to securing a key role for ACP States in these processes;

• — differentiation and regionalisation: cooperation arrangements and priorities shall vary according to a partner's level of development, its needs, its performance and its long-term development strategy. Special treatment shall be given to the least-developed countries. The vulnerability of landlocked and island countries shall be taken into account. Particular emphasis shall be put on regional integration, including at continental level.

Article 3

Achievement of this Agreement's objectives

The Parties shall, each as far as it is concerned in the framework of this Agreement, take all appropriate measures, whether general or particular, to ensure the fulfilment of the obligations arising from this Agreement and to facilitate the attainment of the objectives thereof. They shall refrain from any measures liable to jeopardise these objectives.

CHAPTER 2 The actors of the partnership

Article 4

General approach

The ACP States shall determine the development principles, strategies and models of their economies and societies in all sovereignty. They shall establish, with the Community, the cooperation programmes provided for under this Agreement. However, the parties recognise the complementary role of and potential for contributions by non-State actors, ACP national parliaments and local decentralised authorities to the development process, particularly at the national and regional levels. To this end, under the conditions laid down in this Agreement, non-State actors, ACP national parliaments and local decentralised authorities, shall, where appropriate:

• — be informed and involved in consultation on cooperation policies and strategies, on priorities for cooperation especially in areas that concern or directly affect them, and on the political dialogue,

• — be provided with capacity-building support in critical areas in order to reinforce the capabilities of these actors, particularly as regards organisation and representation, and the establishment of consultation mechanisms including channels of communication and dialogue, and to promote strategic alliances.

Non-State actors and local decentralised authorities shall, where appropriate:

• — be provided with financial resources, under the conditions laid down in this Agreement in order to support local development processes,

• — be involved in the implementation of cooperation projects and programmes in areas that concern them or where these actors have a comparative advantage.

Article 5

Information

Cooperation will support operation to provide more information and create greater awareness of the basic features of ACP-EU Partnership. Cooperation will also:

• — encourage partnership and build links between ACP and EU actors;

• — strengthen networking and exchange of expertise and experience among the actors.

Article 6

Definitions

• (a) State (local, regional and national), including ACP national parliaments;

• (b) ACP regional organisations and the African Union. For the purpose of this Agreement the notion of regional organisations or levels shall also include sub-regional organisations or levels;

• (c) non-State:
• — private sector,
• — economic and social partners, including trade union organisations,
• — civil society in all its forms according to national characteristics.

Article 7

Capacity building

The contribution of civil society to development can be enhanced by strengthening community organisations and non-profit non-governmental organisations in all spheres of cooperation. This will require:

• — encouraging and supporting the creation and development of such organisations;

• — establishing arrangements for involving such organisations in the design, implementation and evaluation of development strategies and programmes.

TITLE II THE POLITICAL DIMENSION

Article 8

Political dialogue

Article 9

Essential elements regarding human rights, democratic principles and the rule of law, and fundamental element regarding good governance

Respect for all human rights and fundamental freedoms, including respect for fundamental social rights, democracy based on the rule of law and transparent and accountable governance are an integral part of sustainable development.

The Parties reaffirm that democratisation, development and the protection of fundamental freedoms and human rights are interrelated and mutually reinforcing. Democratic principles are universally recognised principles underpinning the organisation of the State to ensure the legitimacy of its authority, the legality of its actions reflected in its constitutional, legislative and regulatory system, and the existence of participatory mechanisms. On the basis of universally recognised principles, each country develops its democratic culture.

The structure of government and the prerogatives of the different powers shall be founded on rule of law, which shall entail in particular effective and accessible means of legal redress, an independent legal system guaranteeing equality before the law and an executive that is fully subject to the law.

Respect for human rights, democratic principles and the rule of law, which underpin the ACP-EU Partnership, shall underpin the domestic and international policies of the Parties and constitute the essential elements of this Agreement.

Good governance, which underpins the ACP-EU Partnership, shall underpin the domestic and international policies of the Parties, and constitute a fundamental element of this Agreement. The parties agree that serious cases of corruption, including acts of bribery leading to such corruption, as referred to in Article 97 constitute a violation of that element.

These areas will be an important subject for the political dialogue. In the context of this dialogue, the Parties shall attach particular importance to the changes underway and to the continuity of the progress achieved. This regular assessment shall take into account each country's economic, social, cultural and historical context.

These areas will also be a focus of support for development strategies. The Community shall provide support for political, institutional and legal reforms and for building the capacity of public and private actors and civil society in the framework of strategies agreed jointly between the State concerned and the Community.

The principles underlying the essential and fundamental elements as defined in this Article shall apply equally to the ACP States on the one hand, and to the European Union and its Member States, on the other hand.

Article 10

Other elements of the political environment

• — sustainable and equitable development involving, inter alia, access to productive resources, essential services and justice;

• — greater involvement of ACP national parliaments, local decentralised authorities, where appropriate, and of an active and organised civil society and the private sector.

Article 11

Peace-building policies, conflict prevention and resolution, response to situations of fragility

The Parties acknowledge that new or expanding security threats need to be addressed, such as organised crime, piracy and trafficking of, notably, people, drugs and weapons. The impacts of global challenges like international financial market shocks, climate change and pandemics also need to be taken into account.

The Parties emphasize the important role of regional organisations in peace building and conflict prevention and resolution and in tackling new or expanding security threats with, in Africa, a key responsibility for the African Union.

Activities in the field of peace building, conflict prevention and resolution shall in particular include support for balancing political, economic, social and cultural opportunities among all segments of society, for strengthening the democratic legitimacy and effectiveness of governance, for establishing effective mechanisms for the peaceful conciliation of group interests, for active involvement of women, for bridging dividing lines among different segments of society as well as support for an active and organised civil society. In this respect, particular attention shall be paid to developing early warning systems and peace-building mechanisms that would contribute to the prevention of conflicts.

3a. Particular emphasis shall be given to the fight against anti-personnel landmines and explosive remnants of war as well as to addressing the illicit manufacture, transfer, circulation and accumulation of small arms and light weapons and their ammunition, including inadequately secured and poorly managed stocks and stockpiles and their uncontrolled spread.

The Parties agree to coordinate, observe and fully implement their respective obligations under all relevant international conventions and instruments, and, to this end, they undertake to cooperate at the national, regional and continental levels.

3b. The Parties also undertake to cooperate in the prevention of mercenary activities in accordance with their obligations under all relevant international conventions and instruments, and their respective legislation and regulations.

• — share experience in the adoption of legal adjustments required to allow for the ratification and implementation of the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court; and

• — fight against international crime in accordance with international law, giving due regard to the Rome Statute.

The Parties shall seek to take steps towards ratifying and implementing the Rome Statute and related instruments.

Article 11a

Fight against terrorism

The Parties reiterate their firm condemnation of all acts of terrorism and undertake to combat terrorism through international cooperation, in accordance with the Charter of the United Nations and international law, relevant conventions and instruments and in particular full implementation of UN Security Council Resolutions 1373 (2001) and 1456 (2003) and other relevant UN resolutions. To this end, the Parties agree to exchange:

• — information on terrorist groups and their support networks; and

• — views on means and methods to counter terrorist acts, including in technical fields and training, and experiences in relation to the prevention of terrorism.

Article 11b

Cooperation in countering the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction

The Parties therefore agree to cooperate and to contribute to countering the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction and their means of delivery through full compliance with and national implementation of their existing obligations under international disarmament and non-proliferation treaties and agreements and other relevant international obligations.

The Parties agree that this provision constitutes an essential element of this Agreement.

• — taking steps to sign, ratify or accede to, as appropriate, and fully implement all other relevant international instruments,

• — the establishment of an effective system of national export controls, controlling the export as well as transit of weapons of mass destruction related goods, including a weapons of mass destruction end-use control on dual-use technologies and containing effective sanctions for breaches of export controls.

Financial and technical assistance in the area of cooperation to counter the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction will be financed by specific instruments other than those intended for the financing of ACP-EC cooperation.

The consultations shall begin no later than 30 days after the invitation and shall continue for a period established by mutual agreement, depending on the nature and gravity of the violation. In no case shall the dialogue under the consultation procedure last longer than 120 days.

Article 12

Coherence of Community policies and their impact on the implementation of this Agreement

The Parties are committed to addressing policy coherence for development in a targeted, strategic and partnership-oriented way, including strengthening dialogue on issues of policy coherence for development. The Union acknowledges that Union policies, other than development policy, can support the development priorities of ACP States in line with the objectives of this Agreement. On this basis the Union will enhance the coherence of those policies with a view to attaining the objectives of this Agreement.

Without prejudice to Article 96, where the Community intends, in the exercise of its powers, to take a measure which might affect the interests of the ACP States, as far as this Agreement's objectives are concerned, it shall inform in good time the ACP Group of its intentions. To this end, the Commission shall regularly inform the Secretariat of the ACP Group of planned proposals and communicate simultaneously its proposal for such measures. Where necessary, a request for information may also take place on the initiative of the ACP States.

At their request, consultations shall be held promptly so that account may be taken of their concerns as to the impact of those measures before any final decision is made.

After such consultations have taken place, the ACP States and the ACP Group may, in addition, transmit their concerns in writing to the Community as soon as possible and submit suggestions for amendments indicating the way their concerns should be met.

If the Community does not accede to the ACP States’ submissions, it shall advise them as soon as possible giving its reasons.

The ACP Group shall also be provided with adequate information on the entry into force of such decisions, in advance whenever possible.

Article 13

Migration

The Parties reaffirm their existing obligations and commitments in international law to ensure respect for human rights and to eliminate all forms of discrimination based particularly on origin, sex, race, language and religion.

The Parties will take account, in the framework of development strategies and national and regional programming, of structural constraints associated with migratory flows with the purpose of supporting the economic and social development of the regions from which migrants originate and of reducing poverty.

The Community shall support, through national and regional Cooperation programmes, the training of ACP nationals in their country of origin, in another ACP country or in a Member State of the European Union. As regards training in a Member State, the Parties shall ensure that such action is geared towards the vocational integration of ACP nationals in their countries of origin.

The Parties shall develop cooperation programmes to facilitate the access of students from ACP States to education, in particular through the use of new communication technologies.

5.

• (a) In the framework of the political dialogue the Council of Ministers shall examine issues arising from illegal immigration with a view to establishing, where appropriate, the means for a prevention policy.

• (b) In this context the Parties agree in particular to ensure that the rights and dignity of individuals are respected in any procedure initiated to return illegal immigrants to their countries of origin. In this connection the authorities concerned shall extend to them the administrative facilities necessary for their return.

• (c) The Parties further agree that:
• i) each Member State of the European Union shall accept the return of and readmission of any of its nationals who are illegally present on the territory of an ACP State, at that State's request and without further formalities; each of the ACP States shall accept the return of and readmission of any of its nationals who are illegally present on the territory of a Member State of the European Union, at that Member State's request and without further formalities. The Member States and the ACP States will provide their nationals with appropriate identity documents for such purposes. In respect of the Member States of the European Union, the obligations in this paragraph apply only in respect of those persons who are to be considered their nationals for the Community purposes in accordance with Declaration No 2 to the Treaty establishing the European Community. In respect of ACP States, the obligations in this paragraph apply only in respect of those persons who are considered as their nationals in accordance with their respective legal system.
• (ii) at the request of a Party, negotiations shall be initiated with ACP States aiming at concluding in good faith and with due regard for the relevant rules of international law, bilateral agreements governing specific obligations for the readmission and return of their nationals. These agreements shall also cover, if deemed necessary by any of the Parties, arrangements for the readmission of third country nationals and stateless persons. Such agreements will lay down the details about the categories of persons covered by these arrangements as well as the modalities of their readmission and return. Adequate assistance to implement these agreements will be provided to the ACP States.
• (iii) for the purposes of this point (c), the term ‘Parties’ shall refer to the Community, any of its Member States and any ACP State.

PART 2

INSTITUTIONAL PROVISIONS

Article 14

The joint institutions

Article 14a

Meetings of Heads of State or Government

The Parties shall meet at the level of Heads of State or Government, upon joint agreement, in an appropriate format.

Article 15

The Council of Ministers

The office of the President of the Council of Ministers shall be held alternately by a member of the Council of the European Union and a member of the government of an ACP State.

The Council of Ministers shall meet as a rule once a year on the initiative of the President and whenever it seems necessary, in a form and a geographical composition appropriate to the issues to be addressed. Such meetings will provide for high-level consultations on matters which are of specific concern to the Parties, complementing the work that is being done in the Joint Ministerial Trade Committee, as set out in Article 38, and in the ACP-EC Development Finance Cooperation Committee, as set out in Article 83, which feed into the annual regular Council of Ministers meetings.

• (a) conduct the political dialogue;

• (b) adopt the policy guidelines and take the decisions necessary for the implementation of the provisions of this Agreement, in particular as regards development strategies in the specific areas provided for by this Agreement or any other area that should prove relevant, and as regards procedures;

• (c) examine and resolve any issue liable to impede the effective and efficient implementation of this Agreement or present an obstacle to achieving its objectives;

• (d) ensure the smooth functioning of the consultation mechanisms.

It may take decisions that are binding on the Parties and frame resolutions, recommendations and opinions, during the annual regular meeting, or by written procedure. It shall report annually to the Joint Parliamentary Assembly on the implementation of this Agreement. It shall examine and take into consideration resolutions and recommendations adopted by the Joint Parliamentary Assembly.

The Council of Ministers shall conduct an ongoing dialogue with the representatives of the social and economic partners and other actors of civil society in the ACP and the EU. To that end, consultations may be held alongside its meetings.

Article 16

The Committee of Ambassadors

The office of Chairman of the Committee of Ambassadors shall be held alternately by a Permanent Representative of a Member State designated by the Community, and a head of mission representing an ACP State, designated by the ACP States.

The Committee of Ambassadors shall meet regularly, in particular to prepare the Council sessions and whenever it proves necessary.

Article 17

The Joint Parliamentary Assembly

• — promote democratic processes through dialogue and consultation;

• — facilitate greater understanding between the peoples of the European Union and those of the ACP States and raise public awareness of development issues;

• — discuss issues pertaining to development and the ACP-EU Partnership, including the Economic Partnership Agreements, other trading arrangements, the European Development Fund and Country and Regional Strategy Papers. To this end, the Commission shall transmit such Strategy Papers for information to the Joint Parliamentary Assembly;

• — discuss the annual report of the Council of Ministers on the implementation of this Agreement, and adopt resolutions and make recommendations to the Council of Ministers with a view to achieving the objectives of this Agreement;

• — advocate for institutional development and capacity building of national parliaments in accordance with Article 33(1) of this Agreement.

Such meetings at regional level will be organised in pursuance of the objectives laid down in Article 14(2) of this Agreement.

PART 3

COOPERATION STRATEGIES

Article 18

The cooperation strategies shall be based on development strategies and economic and trade cooperation which are interlinked and complementary. The Parties shall ensure that the efforts undertaken in both aforementioned areas are mutually reinforcing.

TITLE I DEVELOPMENT STRATEGIES

CHAPTER 1 General framework

Article 19

Principles and objectives

Article 20

The Approach

• (a) achieving rapid and sustained job-creating economic growth, developing the private sector, increasing employment, and improving access to productive economic activities and resources;

• (aa) fostering regional cooperation and integration;

• (b) promoting human and social development helping to ensure that the fruits of growth are widely and equitably shared and promoting gender equality;

• (c) promoting cultural values of communities and specific interactions with economic, political and social elements;

• (d) promoting institutional reforms and development, strengthening the institutions necessary for the consolidation of democracy, good governance and for efficient and competitive market economies; and building capacity for development and partnership; and

• (e) promoting environmental sustainability, regeneration and best practices, and the preservation of natural resource base.

CHAPTER 2 Areas of support

SECTION 1 Economic development

Article 21

Investment and private sector development

• (a) the promotion of public-private sector dialogue and cooperation;

• (b) the development of entrepreneurial skills and business culture;

• (c) privatisation and enterprise reform; and

• (d) development and modernisation of mediation and arbitration systems.

• (a) catalysing and leveraging flows of private savings, both domestic and foreign, into the financing of private enterprises by supporting policies for developing a modern financial sector including a capital market, financial institutions and sustainable microfinance operations;

• (b) the development and strengthening of business institutions and intermediary organisations, associations, chambers of commerce and local providers from the private sector supporting and providing non-financial services to enterprises such as professional, technical, management, training and commercial support services; and

• (c) supporting institutions, programmes, activities and initiatives that contribute to the development and transfer of technologies and know-how and best practices on all aspects of business management.

• (a) creating and/or strengthening financial instruments in the form of investment capital;

• (b) improving access to essential inputs such as business information and advisory, consultancy or technical assistance services;

• (c) enhancing export activities, in particular through capacity building in all trade-related areas; and

• (d) encouraging inter-firm linkages, networks and cooperation including those involving the transfer of technology and know-how at national, regional and ACP-EU levels, and partnerships with private foreign investors which are consistent with the objectives and guidelines of ACP-EC Development cooperation.

Article 22

Macroeconomic and structural reforms and policies

• (a) macroeconomic growth and stabilisation through disciplined fiscal and monetary policies that result in the reduction of inflation, and improve external and fiscal balances, by strengthening fiscal discipline, enhancing budgetary transparency and efficiency, improving the quality, the equity and composition of fiscal policy; and

• (b) structural policies designed to reinforce the role of the different actors, especially the private sector, and improve the environment for enhanced domestic resource mobilisation and increases in business, investment and employment, as well as:
• (i) liberalise trade and foreign exchange regimes and current account convertibility, having regard to the particular circumstances of each country;
• (ii) strengthen labour and product-market reforms;
• (iii) encourage financial systems reforms which help to develop viable banking and non-banking systems, capital markets and financial services, including micro-finance;
• (iv) improve the quality of private and public services; and
• (v) encourage regional cooperation and progressive integration of macroeconomic and monetary policies.

• (a) the ACP States shall bear primary responsibility for the analysis of the problems to be solved, the design and the implementation of the reforms;

• (b) support programmes shall be adapted to the different situation in each ACP State and be sensitive to the social conditions, culture and environment of these States;

• (c) the right of the ACP States to determine the direction and the sequencing of their development strategies and priorities shall be recognised and respected;

• (d) the pace of reforms shall be realistic and compatible with each ACP State's capacities and resources; and

• (e) strengthening the communication and the information of populations on economic and social reforms and policies.

Article 23

Economic sector development

Cooperation shall support sustainable policy and institutional reforms and the investments necessary for equitable access to economic activities and productive resources, particularly:

• (a) the development of training systems that help increase productivity in both the formal and the informal sectors;

• (b) capital, credit, land, especially as regards property rights and use;

• (c) development of rural strategies aimed at establishing a framework for participatory decentralised planning, resource allocation and management;

• (d) the development of strategies with a view to enhancing agricultural production and productivity in ACP States by providing, in particular, the necessary financing for agricultural research, agricultural inputs and services, supportive rural infrastructure, and risk reduction and management. Support shall include public and private investments in agriculture, encouragement to develop agricultural policies and strategies, strengthening of farmer and private sector organisations, management of natural resources, and development and functioning of agricultural markets. The agricultural production strategies shall reinforce national and regional food-security policies and regional integration. In this context, cooperation shall support ACP efforts to enhance the competitiveness of their commodity exports and to adapt their commodity export strategies in the light of evolving trade conditions;

• (e) sustainable development of water resources, based on integrated water resources management principles, ensuring equitable and sustainable distribution of shared water resources between their different uses;

• (f) sustainable development of aquaculture and fisheries which include both inland fisheries and marine resources within the economic exclusive zones of the ACP States;

• (g) economic and technological infrastructure and services, including transport, telecommunication systems, communication services and the development of information society;

• (h) development of competitive industrial, mining and energy sectors, while encouraging private sector involvement and development;

• (i) trade development, including the promotion of fair trade;

• (j) development of business, finance and banking; and other service sectors;

• (k) tourism development;

• (l) development of scientific, technological and research infrastructure and services; including the enhancement, transfer and absorption of new technologies;

• (m) the strengthening of capacities in productive areas, especially in public and private sectors;

• (n) the promotion of traditional knowledge; and

• (o) development and implementation of specific adaptation strategies addressing the impact of preference erosion, possibly including activities mentioned in points (a) to (n) above.

Article 23a

Fisheries

Recognising the key role that fisheries and aquaculture play in ACP countries through their positive contribution to employment creation, revenue generation, food security, and livelihoods of rural and coastal communities, and hence to poverty reduction, cooperation shall aim at further developing the aquaculture and fisheries sectors of ACP countries in order to increase the associated social and economic benefits in a sustainable manner.

Cooperation programmes and activities shall support, inter alia, the development and implementation of sustainable aquaculture and fisheries development strategies and management plans in ACP countries and regions; the mainstreaming of aquaculture and fisheries into national and regional development strategies; the development of the infrastructure and technical know-how necessary to enable ACP countries to yield maximum sustainable value from their fisheries and aquaculture; capacity building of ACP countries to overcome external challenges that hinder them from taking full advantage of their fisheries resources; and the promotion and development of joint ventures for investment in the fisheries and aquaculture sectors of ACP countries. Any fishery agreement that may be negotiated between the Community and the ACP States shall give due consideration to consistency with the development strategies in this area.

High-level consultations, including at ministerial level, may be held upon joint agreement with a view to developing, improving and/or strengthening ACP-EU development cooperation in sustainable aquaculture and fisheries.

Article 24

Tourism

Cooperation will aim at the sustainable development of the tourism industry in ACP countries and sub-regions, recognising its increasing importance to the growth of the services sector in ACP countries and to the expansion of their global trade, its ability to stimulate other sectors of economic activity, and the role it can play in poverty eradication.

Cooperation programmes and projects will support the efforts of ACP countries to establish and improve the countries legal and institutional framework and resources for the development and implementation of sustainable tourism policies and programmes, as well as inter alia, improving the competitive position of the sector, especially small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), investment support and promotion, product development including the development of indigenous cultures in ACP countries, and strengthening linkages between tourism and other sectors of economic activity.

SECTION 2 Social and human development

Article 25

Social sector development

• (a) improving education and training at all levels, working towards recognition of tertiary education qualifications, establishment of quality assurance systems for education, including education and training delivered on-line or through other non-conventional means, and building technical capacity and skills;

• (b) improving health systems, in particular equitable access to comprehensive and quality health care services, and nutrition, eliminating hunger and malnutrition and ensuring adequate food supply and security, including through supporting safety nets;

• (c) integrating population issues into development strategies in order to improve reproductive health, primary health care, family planning; and prevention of female genital mutilation;

• (d) promoting the fight against:
• — HIV/AIDS, ensuring the protection of sexual and reproductive health and rights of women;
• — other poverty-related diseases, particularly malaria and tuberculosis;

• (e) increasing the security of household water and improving access to safe water and adequate sanitation;

• (f) improving the availability of affordable and adequate shelter for all through supporting low-cost and low-income housing programs and improving urban development; and

• (g) encouraging the promotion of participatory methods of social dialogue as well as respect for basic social rights.

Article 26

Youth issues

Cooperation shall also support the establishment of a coherent and comprehensive policy for realising the potential of youth so that they are better integrated into society to achieve their full potential. In this context, cooperation shall support policies, measures and operations aimed at:

• (a) protecting the rights of children and youth, especially those of girl children;

• (b) promoting the skills, energy, innovation and potential of youth in order to enhance their economic, social and cultural opportunities and enlarge their employment opportunities in the productive sector;

• (c) helping community-based institutions to give children the opportunity to develop their physical, psychological, social and economic potential;

• (d) reintegrating into society children in post-conflict situations through rehabilitation programmes; and

• (e) promoting the active participation of young citizens in public life and fostering student exchanges and interaction of ACP and EU youth organisations.

Article 27

Culture and development

Cooperation in the area of culture shall aim at:

• (a) integrating the cultural dimension at all levels of development cooperation;

• (b) recognising, preserving and promoting cultural values and identities to enable inter-cultural dialogue;

• (c) recognising, preserving and promoting the value of cultural heritage; supporting the development of capacity in this sector;

• (d) developing cultural industries and enhancing market access opportunities for cultural goods and services;

• (e) recognising and supporting the role of cultural actors and cultural networks, and their contribution to sustainable development; and

• (f) promoting the cultural dimension in education and the participation of youth in cultural activities.

SECTION 3 Regional cooperation and integration

Article 28

General approach

• (a) promote peace and stability, as well as conflict prevention and resolution;

• (b) enhance economic development and economic cooperation through the build-up of larger markets, the free movement of persons, goods, services, capital, labour and technology among ACP countries, the accelerated diversification of the economies of the ACP States, the promotion and expansion of trade among ACP countries and with third countries and the gradual integration of the ACP States into the world economy;

• (c) promote the management of sustainable development challenges with a transnational dimension through, inter alia, coordination and harmonisation of regional cooperation policies.

• (a) one or several ACP regional organisations, including at continental level;

• (b) European Overseas Countries and Territories (OCTs) and outermost regions;

• (c) non-ACP developing countries.

Article 29

ACP-EU cooperation in support of regional cooperation and integration

• (a) the promotion and development of a regional political dialogue in areas of conflict prevention and resolution; human rights and democratisation; exchange, networking, and promotion of mobility between the different actors of development, in particular in civil society;

• (b) the promotion of regional initiatives and policies on security-related issues, including arms control, action against drugs, organised crimes, money laundering, bribery and corruption.

• (a) the participation of Least Developed Countries (LDC) ACP States in the establishment of regional markets and sharing the benefits therefrom;

• (b) the implementation of sectoral economic reform policies at regional level;

• (c) the liberalisation of trade and payments;

• (d) the promotion of cross-border investments both foreign and domestic, and other regional economic integration initiatives;

• (e) the mitigation of the effects of net transitional costs of regional integration on budget revenue and balance of payments; and

• (f) infrastructure, particularly transport and communications and safety thereof, and services, including the development of regional opportunities in the area of Information and Communication Technologies (ICT).

• (a) the environment and the sustainable management of natural resources, including water and energy, and addressing climate change;

• (b) food security and agriculture;

• (c) health, education and training;

• (d) research and technological development; and

• (e) regional initiatives for disaster preparedness and mitigation as well as post-disaster reconstruction.

Article 30

Capacity building in support of ACP regional cooperation and integration