General Conclusions

Abstract

The preceding Chapters of this study have spotlighted five important aspects of relationship between the European Economic Community and the Third World with particular reference to the former Associated States and the ACP States. The first of these is an historical analysis of developments such as will foster greater co-operation in the future: this requires the political will and best intentions of all the Contracting Parties of the new Convention. The second is the institutional aspects of the co-operation between Europe and the developing countries under the earlier Conventions: this raises the question of new dimensions for the institutions in the light of current developments within the European Economic Community and the effects of the enlargement of the Community on the ACP States. The third deals with an analysis of the institutions thus providing a basis for the interpretation of the Lomé Convention. It must be kept in mind that no attempt has been made to exhaust this field. The law is complicated because human nature is complicated and further means of interpretation may surface in the course of the implementation of the provisions of the Lomé Convention. The fourth concerns the balance of socio-economic considerations; the fifth and last is the Lomé Convention which, as we have noted, was signed on 28 February, 1975.