FES Cotonou

The 3 Pillars

The Cotonou Agreement is structured around three pillars: the political dimension, the financial dimension and the economic dimension.

Cotonou Agreement 2000-2020

Political Pillar
- Political dialogue
- Political principles & conditionality
- Support in certain political areas (e.g. security policy)

Financial Pillar
- European Development Fund
- Grant Facility
- Investment Facility
- Programming process

Economic Pillar
- Trade: Economic Partnership Agreements

According to the Cotonou Agreement EPAs first of all will be geared towards the following objectives:

- to promote the smooth and
  gradual integration of ACP
  economies into the world
  economy;
- to enhance production, supply and
trading capacities;
- to create new trade dynamics and
foster investment;
- to improve the capacity of the
ACPs to handle trade-related
issues.

FES / FES Cotonou / The 3 Pillars