More than two years of delay in ratifying the new EU treaty with African, Caribbean and Pacific countries ended on Thursday (20 July) after Poland confirmed its approval of the agreement. The treaty is set to be formally signed by leaders at a summit in Samoa in the coming weeks. The EU has struggled to finalise Economic Partnership Agreements with various states across the ACP, primarily over fears that they would force developing countries to open their markets to EU firms. Meanwhile, the secretariat of the Organisation of African, Caribbean and Pacific States (OACP) is financed by the EU budget and is regarded as a far weaker organisation than the African Union. The ACP does not include North African states, which South Africa, arguably the most influential African state, decided to leave the ACP late last year, pointing to its lack of influence.

Source: The North Africa Journal July 20, 2023 13:30 UTC