The revision of Article 13 on Migration of the Cotonou Partnership Agreement: What’s at stake for the ACP?

Article 13 on ‘Migration’ is a priority issue for European Union (EU) member states in the revision of the Cotonou Partnership Agreement (CPA). However, the ongoing revision process scheduled to be finalised at the end of February 2010 does not seem to be high on anyone’s agenda. This is a shame, as surely it is in the interest of both parties to make the most of this framework for ACP-EU relations that will expire in 2020. The CPA is the largest North-South partnership in the world and with its co-decision, joint management and Non-State-Actors participation principles, is regarded by some also as one of the most progressive cooperation frameworks. Its future after 2020 is nevertheless unclear and the current revision is an opportunity to ensure that it remains relevant in a changing context.