BRUSSELS — Ten months into talks between the European Union and the bloc of 79 African, Caribbean, and Pacific states on their post-2020 relationship, negotiators remain divided on migration and a host of other issues.
Both sides say they were largely expecting the sticking points, but with a chief negotiators’ meeting initially slated for this week now postponed until September to allow for progress among the negotiating teams, the existing Cotonou Agreement seems sure to be extended beyond its Feb. 29, 2020 end date.
The Cotonou Agreement sets the framework for relations between the EU and ACP countries in the areas of development cooperation, political dialogue and trade. The new deal is to include a common foundation text and three regional pillars, though the foundation is yet to be agreed, with the section on migration the most problematic.