Annex: The political dimension of the Cotonou
Agreement
"EMPHASIS ON THE KEY ROLE OF POLITICAL DIALOGUE
"Dialogue should allow ACP and EC to address
all issues of mutual concern and to ensure consistency and increased
impact of development cooperation.
"It will be conducted in a flexible manner:
within and outside the institutional framework, at national, regional
or ACP level.
"PEACE-BUILDING POLICIES, CONFLICT PREVENTION
AND RESOLUTION
"Dialogue and cooperation strategies will address
peace-building policies and conflict prevention. The partnership
will focus in particular on regional initiatives and the strengthening
of local capacities.
"ESSENTIAL ELEMENTS
"Respect for human rights, democratic principles
and the rule of law are essential elements of the partnership.
"A new procedure has been drawn up to deal with
violations. It puts more emphasis on the responsibility of the
State concerned and allows for greater flexibility in the consultation
process. In cases of special urgency — serious violations
of one of the essential elements — measures will be taken
immediately and the other party notified.
"GOOD GOVERNANCE
"Commitment to good governance as a fundamental
and positive element of the partnership, a subject for regular
dialogue and an area for active Community support.
"The EC and the ACP have also agreed on a new
specific procedure to be launched in serious cases of corruption.
This is a real innovation, both in the EC-ACP context and in international
relations. It is not confined to EC activities. It will be applied
in cases of corruption involving EDF money and more widely, in
any country where the EC is financially involved and where corruption
constitutes an obstacle to development. This is a very important
aspect, as public finance constitutes a whole, regardless of the
source of finance; corruption involving other sources of financing
therefore indirectly affects EDF funding. The EC and the ACP States
are together sending a clear and positive signal to European taxpayers
and investors, and legitimate beneficiaries of aid."
| 
