Abstract EN:

The aid for cooperation and for regional integration of developing countries has become a permanent element of community policy in order to favourise development. This role has become more and more important, in particular since 1975 : the first lome convention was signed in february 1975. The decision making process of the community's global policy vis-a-vis the mediterranean (characterised by cooperation agreements with the maghreb and machrek countries and reinforced by financial protocol) began with the financial and technical aid for developing countries, called "non-associates" in 1976. The interest manifested by the eec with respect to regional integration of developing countries, for political and economic reasons as well as similarity of ideas, are shown in particular by the increased number of targets, and by the increased areas of regional cooperation, within agreements concluded with developing countries. This evolution, evident from one lome convention to another, seems less important in the treaties signed with the countries of maghreb and machrek. Otherwise, this interest led to a mutual recognition, and to the setting up of a structural dialogue between the eec and the states belonging to a regional organisation. (. . . )