WINDHOEK: The European Union has expressed its approval of Namibia’s recent signing of the New Partnership Agreement (NPA) with the Organisation of Africa, Caribbean and Pacific States (OACPS), commonly referred to as the ‘Samoa Agreement.’ The signing ceremony took place on December 18, 2023, in Brussels, Belgium.

According to Namibia Press Agency (NAMPA), the EU Ambassador to Namibia, the Samoa Agreement represents a continuation and strengthening of the long-standing partnership between Namibia and the EU. Martins emphasized the agreement’s role in enhancing cooperation in critical areas such as climate change, political and security issues, and the promotion of inclusive green growth. “We are committed to focusing on the implementation of the EU-Namibia Strategic Partnership on Green Hydrogen and Critical Raw Materials value chains with the Global Gateway Instrument and Team Europe Initiative, to generate more jobs and prosperity,” she stated. The EU-OACPS agreement, signed in Samoa on November 15, 2023, succeeds the Cotonou Agreement (2000-2023) and is considered the most comprehensive partnership agreement globally, encompassing states from four continents.