20-03-2018 14:30
20 March: Hearing on post 2020 agreement with Africa, Caribbean and Pacific countries

ASP 3E2
post-Cotonou hearing poster
DEVE hearing on the future of ACP-EU relations © European Parliament

Starting in September, the European Commission will negotiate a new partnership agreement with the countries of Africa, the Caribbean and the Pacific, to replace the Cotonou agreement which expires in 2020. In 2016, Parliament set out its position for a renewed and reformed partnership in 2016. In December 2017, the Commission published proposed negotiating directives which are set to be adopted by the Council by June.

The new agreement will require Parliament's assent and the Commission is obliged to inform Parliament during the negotiations in detail.

In order to provide for public debate ahead of the negotiations, the Committee holds a hearing which brings together experts and representatives of the Commission, the ACP and the African Union.

The hearing will take place on Tuesday, 20 March from 14:30-17:00 in Brussels, room Altiero Spinelli A3E-2 and willl be webstreamed live.