Attributes the acclaim paid to the Lome Convention to its methodology of development cooperation involving group to group negotiations; partnership and dialogue and contractual relationships. It is this methodology of cooperation in addition to the instruments of cooperation which have brought into the international arena, new operational instruments eg. STABEX. Comments on the EEC/ACP partnerships arrangements and the significant benefits which both groupings derive from the relationship. Finally comments on the political and economic developments which have taken place in Africa, Europe and the Caribbean noting that all constituent parties will need to respond to these developments. In light of these changes, the view is expressed that Lome will need to transform itself into a new configuration of relationships.

3/7/00 M2LMGR