The Beginning Of The 21st Century. Eu Aid To Africa

Most African countries are the world's least developed countries,Africa is the poorest region in the world. As the world's largest foreign aid providers, European Union and its member states put foreign aid as a very important part of their diplomacy. In the long history of European Union's foreign aid, Africa has been ranked as an important acceptant of aid with the longest history and widest range from European Union.European Union's foreign aid to African countries has begun since 1957, during the long years of foreign aid, European Union adjusted its aid policy toward Africa according to the changing situations from time to time, from the"Rome Treaty"stage and two"Yasunde Convention"stage to four"Lome Convention"stage. Entering the 21st century, with the situation of international society, the European Union and Africa changing, the policy of European Union's foreign aid to Africa has also made the corresponding adjustment, and the"Cotonou Agreement"stage is a new stage which presents many notable features.This paper focuses on a specific period—the beginning of the 21st century, to discuss the adjustment of European Union's aid policy toward Africa under the great transform of world pattern, including the former aid history of more than 50 years, the historical and practical background of adjustment, and the new aid framework. Next, this paper lays its emphasis on illustrating in detail the new characteristics of the adjusted aid policy, including adoption of equality and partnership as the prerequisite for aid, extension of the aid field, increase of the input of fund and strengthening the management of aid policy, etc. It also makes an assessment of the result of European Union's aid to Africa through a series of facts and data, through which analyzes both the success and failure of this adjusted aid policy and also tries to explore the reasons and possible ways out.The purpose of the paper is to analyze the background, performance, causes and significance of European Union's 21st century adjusted aid policy to Africa on the basis of making a clear overview of aid policy before 21st century. In order to understand the unique pattern of European Union's foreign aid to Africa, and draw some beneficial enlightenment and reference for Chinese foreign aid to Africa countries and the development of foreign aid institution.