What changed

PR_NLE-AP_Agreement

PA_Leg_Consent

Symbols for procedures

SHORT JUSTIFICATION

* Consultation procedure

On 15 November 2023, the EU and the Organisation of African, Caribbean and Pacific States signed the Samoa Agreement, which established the overarching framework for EU relations with African, Caribbean and Pacific countries. It will replace the Cotonou Agreement, which was signed in 2000 for a 20-year period, and hence had to be extended. The Samoa Agreement includes six priority areas: democracy and human rights, sustainable economic growth and development, climate change, human and social development, peace and security, and migration and mobility. From the INTA perspective, the Rapporteur highlights the following points:

*** Consent procedure

First, the Agreement should benefit intra-African trade and the economic integration of the African continent through the AfCFTA. Economic Partnership Agreements (EPAs) are useful instruments and should help reach this goal.

***I Ordinary legislative procedure (first reading)

Second, it is welcomed that the Agreement includes a pathway to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals and the Paris Agreement, as well as the UN principle on free, prior, and informed consent. The Agreement should foster sustainable development in both regions, where the EU trade toolbox, including EPAs, GSP and Aid for Trade, but also CBAM and the Anti-Deforestation Regulation, should be mutually reinforcing.

***II Ordinary legislative procedure (second reading)

Third, EPAs between the EU and African countries should contribute to long-term sustainable development, reduce poverty, and boost regional integration. These EPAs should benefit the African population and intra-African trade.

***III Ordinary legislative procedure (third reading)

Fourth, the Agreement’s trade and investment provisions should benefit all parties. The EU should therefore be mindful about a potential misbalance of benefits of trade and investment relations with the OACPS countries, especially related to sustainability.

(The type of procedure depends on the legal basis proposed by the draft act.)

Fifth, the EU should engage in capacity building where necessary, and support activities related to science, technology, research, innovation and the digital transformation in the OACPS countries. The EU should also engage with OACPS countries about new and existing EU trade legislation, including CBAM and the Forced Labour Ban.

DRAFT EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION

Sixth, it is welcomed that the Agreement includes strong human rights commitments. The Agreement should help with the fight against inequalities, and its implementation should be gender mainstreamed, which includes, among others, gender equality and trade related aspects and gender chapters in trade agreements.

on the proposal for a Council decision on the conclusion, on behalf of the European Union, of the Partnership Agreement between the European Union and its Member States, of the one part, and the Members of the Organisation of African, Caribbean and Pacific States, of the other part

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(COM(2023)0791 – C90000/2024 – 2023/0464(NLE))

The Committee on International Trade calls on the Committee on Development, as the committee responsible, to recommend that Parliament gives its consent to the draft Council decision on the Partnership Agreement between the European Union and its Member States, of the one part, and the Members of the Organisation of African, Caribbean and Pacific States, of the other part.

(Consent)

– having regard to the Partnership Agreement between the European Union and its Member States, of the one part, and the Members of the Organisation of African, Caribbean and Pacific States, of the other part (08372/2023),

– having regard to the request for consent submitted by the Council in accordance with Articles 207(4), first subparagraph, and Article 218(6), second subparagraph, point (a) (v), of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union (C90000/2024),

– having regard to its non-legislative resolution of (..) on the proposal for a Council decision on the on the conclusion, on behalf of the European Union, of the Partnership Agreement between the European Union and its Member States, of the one part, and the Members of the Organisation of African, Caribbean and Pacific States, of the other part,

– having regard to Rule 105(1) and (4),and Rule 114(7) of its Rules of Procedure,

– having regard to the recommendation of the Committee on Development (A90000/2024),

1. Gives its consent to the conclusion of the agreement;

2. Instructs its President to forward its position to the Council, the Commission and the governments and parliaments of the Member States and of the Members of Organisation of African, Caribbean and Pacific States.