European Identity - Individual, Group and Society - HumanitarianNet

WHAT UNDERLIES EUROPEAN POLICIES? INSTITUTIONAL OBJECTIVES IN ... 103agreements, particularly the Cotonou Agreement (June 2000) withcountries of Africa, the Caribbean and the Pacific; the Asian Europeanagreement (21 st October 2000), the agreements for the MediterraneanCountries (27 November 2000) and the agreements reached at theMadrid Summit (May 2002) with the Latin American countries.In the case of co-operation with third countries and referring to thenew agreements, does the European policy bear a distinctive stamp? Isthere a mark of identity of Europe in relation to third countries incomparison to USA or Japan, for example? We have reviewed theserecent agreements of the European Union in order to compare themwith the objectives of the policies that are deduced by an analysis atthe same level of other international actors in the same field.What are the new dimensions of the Cotonou Agreement 3 signedon 23 June 2000 in the capital of Benin, Cotonou? In the words of EUCommissioner Poul Nielson,Dialogue plays a key role in the success of development co-operationactivities. It is at the heart of the relationship between the ACP group andthe European Union. We will have to make all possible efforts to ensure thatwe tackle the real issues and potential difficulties at an advanced stage.Partnership goes hand in hand with ownership and mutual confidence. In aconstructive and positive spirit we have decided to define good governanceas a fundamental element of the new Agreement.Other important elements include the emphasis on the fact that eachcountry must own and be accountable for its policies, and on theassociation of civil society and the promotion of a more direct involvementof all stakeholders. These are also major components as well as theupholding of democratic principles and proven respect of human rights.If we compare the agreement with the ACP countries with thosesigned for the zone ASEM or the Mediterranean zone, even if weanalyse the Madrid Summit held in May 2002, with Latin Americacountries, particularly the document on common values and positions,Latin America-Europe, certain elements become a significant pattern.Concentrating specifically not so much on the economic, but onthe political, cultural and educational nuclei, there are a few constantlines that seem to correspond to convictions:—Societies are strengthened or weakened according to whetherhuman rights are respected and developed.3ACP-EU Partnership Agreement, Directorate General for Development, EuropeanCommission, Brussels (Belgium) September, 2000, p. 3.