EU Regional Agreements
The European Union's relations to other states are various. With its Neighbourhood Policy (ENP), the enlarged EU has created a new framework for its relations with its neighbours to the south and east.
The Eastern Partnership has placed the EU's relations with its direct neighbours on a new footing. It fosters economic relations with partner countries while, at the same time, underpinning their political and socio-economic reforms. Third countries such as Russia or Turkey are invited to cooperate.
Read more: Eastern Partnership
The Partnership Agreement (Cotonou Agreement) between the EU and the ACP countries was signed in Cotonou, Benin, on 23 June 2000. It replaced the Lomé Convention of 1975, thereby ensuring the continuity of the cooperation between the EU and at present 77 developing countries in Africa, the Caribbean and the Pacific. A new version of the Agreement (which provides for regular revisions) was signed on 25 June 2005.
Read more: Relations to the ACP countries - the Cotonou Agreement
Twelve years after it was established, the Barcelona Process has led to a more intensive dialogue and broader cooperation between the Euro-Mediterranean partners. At the 9th EuroMed Ministerial Meeting in Lisbon, the open and constructive dialogue based on a spirit of mutual trust was continued. Germany was represented at the meeting by Minister of State Günter Gloser. He reaffirmed: "The Mediterranean region remains a key cooperation partner also for Germany."
Read more: EuroMed Partnership: intensifying regional cooperation
The concept of European Neighbourhood Policy focuses on the EU’s direct neighbours in eastern Europe and in the Mediterranean region. A conscious decision was made not to make future EU accession part of this policy.
Read more: European Neighbourhood Policy (ENP)
In 2009 the partnership between the EU and LAC, which includes all countries in the EU, Latin America and the Caribbean (roughly 1 billion people) turns ten years old. It is built on a common cultural inheritance as well as shared values, and encompasses cooperation in the fields of politics, economics, culture and science and technology.
Read more: EU relations with Latin America
The EU has recognized Asia as a priority region. The European Commission’s Asia Strategy issued in 2001 aims to strengthen the EU’s political and economic presence all across Asia.
Read more: European Union and Asia/Pacific
