The EU defines its policy areas and specific objectives with each partner country and region through the programming process. Multi-annual indicative plans (MIPs) outline the overall basis of EU cooperation in countries and regions. Annual action plans set out the implementation of programming in a country.
Sub-Saharan Africa
New prospects and challenges are emerging in Africa resulting from economic, political, social, technological, climate and environmental changes, health crises as well as evolving security threats. The European Union calls for a strategic partnership with Africa to tackle these emerging challenges together and to pursue common priorities and interests.
Middle East, Asia and the Pacific
This region is extremely heterogeneous in terms of human and physical geography, economy, social progress and level of development and democracy, encompassing the full spectrum between highly industrialised to least developed countries. Nevertheless, overarching converging priorities for EU engagement and joined-up actions exist, offering possibilities to maximise impact.
Americas and the Caribbean
The partnership with the Americas and the Caribbean is central to the EU’s ambition to ensure a stronger Europe in the world. This diverse area includes four of the EU’s strategic partners (United States, Canada, Mexico and Brazil) and five G20 members. The association of the EU with this likeminded group of countries is of geostrategic relevance - Europe and the Americas and the Caribbean can have a decisive influence in shaping the post-COVID world order.
Overseas Countries and Territories
The association between the Overseas Countries and Territories (OCTs) and the European Union aims to promote the economic and social development of the OCTs and establish close economic relations between them and the EU as a whole. It is based on objectives, principles and values which are common to the OCTs, to the Member States whose they fall under and to the European Union.