The European Economic Community (EEC), known in French as Communauté Économique Européenne (CEE), is one of the historical pillars of European integration. Established in 1957, it aimed to strengthen the economic unity of the continent, marking a major milestone towards what has today become the European Union (EU).
While the primary goal of the EEC was to unify European economies, it also established cooperation relationships with developing countries, particularly in Africa, including the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
Origin and Objectives of the EEC
The foundations of European economic integration
The Treaty of Rome of 1957
The EEC was founded by the Treaty of Rome, signed on March 25, 1957 by six countries: West Germany, France, Italy, Belgium, Luxembourg, and the Netherlands.
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Establish a common market based on free movement of goods, services, capital, and people.
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Ensure fair competition among European companies.
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Develop common economic policies, particularly in agriculture and transport.
The EEC played a major role in post-war European economic and political construction. It gradually evolved to become the current European Union with the entry into force of the Maastricht Treaty in 1993.
EEC — Africa Relations
A historical economic and commercial partnership
A Longstanding Partnership
From its inception, the EEC set up mechanisms to maintain economic and trade relations with former colonial territories of European member states. This gave rise to several cooperation agreements with numerous African countries.
Yaoundé Convention
First generation of cooperation agreements between the EEC and several African countries, starting in 1963 and renewed in 1969.
Lomé Convention
From 1975, it formed a key framework for economic and trade relations between Europe and partner countries in Africa, the Caribbean, and the Pacific.
Cotonou Agreement
Signed in 2000, it took over within the framework of relations between the European Union and ACP countries.
Partnership Objectives
Main pillars of economic relations between Europe and African countries
Access to the European Market
Promote access of African products to the European market under various trade regimes and agreements.
Economic Development
Support economic development through financing and cooperation mechanisms.
Institutional Strengthening
Strengthen institutional and commercial capacities of partner countries.
Trade Cooperation
Develop cooperation mechanisms facilitating trade and economic relations.
EEC — Ministry of External Trade
Commercial relations between the DRC and the European space
DRC and Economic Relations with Europe
The DRC, despite gaining independence in 1960, maintained economic ties with Europe. It participated in the Lomé Conventions, which facilitated market access for its exports to Europe, particularly mineral, agricultural, and forestry products.
The DRC Ministry of External Trade plays a key role in managing and developing this economic relationship.
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Negotiation of bilateral and multilateral trade agreements.
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Promotion of Congolese exports, particularly to the European Union.
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Monitoring of international commitments, including those inherited from CEE-DRC relations.
Cooperation with the European Union
Cooperation mechanisms building upon historical relations
Agreement Monitoring
Participate in monitoring committees for agreements and trade partnership mechanisms.
Financing
Contribute to mobilizing funding for external trade development.
Capacity Building
Strengthen institutional capacity through technical cooperation projects.
From EEC to Current Relations
An evolution towards new trade cooperation instruments
Today, even though the EEC as a structure no longer exists, its founding principles continue to influence relations between the DRC and the European Union. Through modern trade cooperation instruments, the DRC seeks to diversify trade exchanges, boost international competitiveness, and strengthen trade administration capacity.
The history of the EEC helps understand the evolution of economic relations between Europe and African countries. For the DRC, this relationship is now part of a broader framework of cooperation with the European Union and participation in international trade.
An Evolving Economic Relationship
From the EEC legacy to current partnerships
The European Economic Community laid the foundations for sustainable economic cooperation between Europe and Africa. For the DRC, this historical partnership represented a source of commercial opportunities, financing, and technical support. The Ministry of External Trade continues to strengthen these relations to allow the DRC to better integrate into regional and international value chains.
