The European Union's Policy in African, Caribbean and Pacific Countries: Towards an Effective Democratisation?

Résumé du document

“Since 1992, the European Community has included in all its agreements with third countries a clause defining respect for human rights and democracy as ‘essential elements' in the EU's relationship. This clause is unique in bilateral agreements. This approach has been further developed in the Cotonou agreement signed with African, Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) countries in June 2000 which is based on respect for human rights, democratic principles and the rule of law, and on good governance. This new development policy is firmly grounded on the principle of sustainable, equitable and participatory human and social development. It constitutes a major step in the development of the European Union's policies.” As this communication from the European Commission1 in 2001 points out, the European Union has defined itself a role in promoting human rights and democratisation in Third countries. As well, since the relationship between the EU and the African, Caribbean and Pacific countries has been the most structured and historically important of all those the EU supported, it seems logical to focus on this particular region of the Third World.

Extraits

[...] -Smith, Hazel (2002), European Union Foreign Policy- What it is and what it does. Pluto Press. -Smith, Michael E. ( 2004), Europe's Foreign and Security Policy institution of cooperation. Cambridge University Press. Communications -European Commission May 2001), “Communication from the Commission to the Council and the European Parliament, The European Union's role in promoting human rights and democratisation in third countries”. -Statement by the European Council and the Commission (s.a.), European Community's Development Policy”. [...]

[...] The rule of law implies respect for the law, the independence of the judicial system, the equality before the law and the citizens' right to redress grievances. Any breach of these legal principles is easily recognisable. “Democracy” however, is a more problematic issue. Though many forms of democracy exist (as can be found between the different EU countries themselves), the idea is now that economic development can not pursued without an essential democratic core : “Democracy is a political system based on respect for the law, implying rights (including civil rights), where the rulers are accountable to the population who can through peaceful and accepted procedures change those leaders at periodic intervals.” The civil rights, prerequisites to political rights, are thus defined as freedom communication and speech and writing, [ . [...]

[...] However, the beginning of the relations with the region was clearly marked by historical ties in the selection of the countries, not depending on their need. But in the 1960s, a majority of these countries became independent, so that new arrangements were necessary. The Yaoundé Convention I (1963) structured the relations of the six members of the EC with 18 African states: the Associated African states and Madagascar (EAMA) It provided these countries with technical assistance and training, trade preferences and investments, and moreover created joint institutions ( a Council, a Parliamentary conference and a Court of Arbitration). [...]

[...] Political conditionality : which democratisation? This principle of conditionality applied to the political field, and the demands it requires, is aiming at developing democracy in ACP countries. However, the problems due to its implementation seem to question its effectiveness The principle of conditionality Political conditionality links rewards (such as preferential trading agreement, aid or other forms of assistance) with expectation AND execution of policies that promote the goals of democracy, human rights, the rule of Law and good governance.[4] This conditionality can take many forms. [...]

[...] The challenge for EU-ACP relationships is thus to implement the agreement Challenges and new perspectives The economic challenges of the Cotonou agreement are to integrate the ACP's better-developed countries in global trade, respecting WTO principles, without excluding the Least Developed Countries from development by repeating the same mistakes as in Lomé, that is non-reciprocal free access to the EU market. There are many political challenges as well. The role accorded to civil society may be difficult to implement because on the one hand not all ACP countries have a well-defined civil society, and on the other hand some governments may be reluctant to support non-states actors that could be in opposition with them. [...]