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As a development cooperation instrument, the programming of the EDF is designed to ensure that EC's engagement with each country is aligned with the national developmental priorities, the Cotonou Agreement, as well as European commitments enshrined in the European Consensus for Development, the Millennium Development Goals and other regional and international agreements. The programming process begins with a series of consultations of EC delegations at the national partner country level mainly through an identified National Autorising Officer and civil society organisations. Each EC delegation then drafts a Country Strategy Paper (CSP) which is submitted to the EC headquarters and which in turn go through an internal process of the Internal Quality Service Group. Once the CSP is finalised, the Commission presents these to the EDF Committee of the European Council for adoption. As of June 2008, only 47 CSPs in ACP countries have been adopted. For the 10th EDF to enter into force, the changes to the Cotonou Agreement adopted in 2005 by the EU and ACP also need to be finalized. This requires ratification by all EU Member States and two-thirds of the ACP states. Three internal agreements relating to these changes also need to be ratified by all EU Member States. • The revision of the ACP-EC Partnership Agreement, signed in Luxembourg on 25.6.2005,
• The internal agreement amending the internal agreement of 18.9.2000 regarding the implementation of the ACP-EC Partnership Agreement, signed in Luxembourg on 10.4.2006
• The internal agreement of the financing of Community aid to the ACP and the OCT for the period 2008-2013, signed in Brussels on 17.7.2006 |
