The Senate has ratified the Cotonou Agreement. It had already been passed by the Chamber of Deputies. The agreement was signed by the DR in Cotonou, in the African nation of Benin on 23 June 2000. Another 77 Asian, Pacific and Caribbean states have signed the agreement with 15 European Union countries. It is a 20-year trade and aid accord that replaces the Lome IV convention which expired on 29 February.
