Lome Convention

   A comprehensive trade and aid agreement between the European Union and 46 African, Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) countries, first signed in 1975, in Togo. As set out in Article 1, its purpose was ‘to promote and expedite the economic, cultural and social development of the ACP states and to consolidate and diversify their relations [with the Community and its member states] in a spirit of solidarity and mutual interest’. As well as providing for a substantial package of aid and investment, the agreement allowed all ACP industrial products and most ACP agricultural products free access to the Community market, but the terms were non-reciprocal.

   The Convention was renegotiated and renewed on three occasions and now covers 71 countries. Since 2000, a new successor package to Lome IV has applied, known as the Suva (Fiji) Convention. Destined to last until 2020, it transforms the original convention into a system of trade and cooperation pacts with the individual nations involved.