FES / FES Cotonou / Principles

Principles

ACP-EU cooperation shall be guided on the basis of the following fundamental principles:

  • 1. Equality of the partners and ownership of the development strategies
    The ACP States shall determine the development strategies for their economies and societies in all sovereignty.
  • 2. Participation of various actors
    Apart from central government as the main partner, the partnership shall be open to 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.
  • 3. Pivotal Role of Dialogue and mutual obligations
    Dialogue has a pivotal role and the obligations assumed through the dialogic process shall be fulfilled.
  • 4. Differentiation and Regionalisation
    The cooperation arrangements and priorities shall be tailored to the individual circumstances of each ACP country (and can consequently vary according to a partner's level of development, its needs, its performance and its long-term development strategy.) Particular emphasis shall be placed on the regional dimension. Special treatment shall be given to the least-developed countries. The vulnerability of landlocked and island countries shall be taken into account.