In 2001, the Commission adopted some “Guidelines for the implementation of the common framework for Country Strategy Papers”. It is important to note that these guidelines are not compulsory and that the drafting process of a country strategy paper can vary from one country to another depending on the situation. As an example, the drafting process of the “new generation” of country strategy papers (taking place in 2005-2006) varies from one region to another.

According to the 2001 Guidelines, there are usually three main phases in the development of a CSP as indicated on the chart below,

1. PHASE I: Drafting the first version of the CSP/NIP
2. PHASE II: Quality Control
3. PHASE III: Formal Approval