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{{Infobox Bilateral relations|Cape Verde–European Union|European Union|Cape Verde|filetype=svg}}
{{Infobox Bilateral relations|Cape Verde–European Union|European Union|Cape Verde|filetype=svg}}
{{Politics of Cape Verde}}
{{Politics of Cape Verde}}
[[Cape Verde]] is an island nation, part of the [[Macaronesia]]n group of islands of the Atlantic Ocean and was a former Portuguese colony during the colonial era between 1460 and 1975. In March 2005 former Portuguese president [[Mário Soares]] launched a petition urging the [[European Union]] to [[Enlargement of the European Union|start membership talks]] with it, saying that Cape Verde could act as a bridge between Africa, Latin America and the EU.<ref>[http://www.eubusiness.com/External_Relations/050317090821.tnkf9k7j/ ]{{dead link|date=October 2016}}</ref>
[[Cape Verde]] is an island nation, part of the [[Macaronesia]]n group of islands of the Atlantic Ocean and was a former Portuguese colony during the colonial era between 1460 and 1975. In March 2005 former Portuguese president [[Mário Soares]] launched a petition urging the [[European Union]] to [[Enlargement of the European Union|start membership talks]] with it, saying that Cape Verde could act as a bridge between Africa, Latin America and the EU.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.eubusiness.com/External_Relations/050317090821.tnkf9k7j/ |title=Archived copy |accessdate=2007-11-02 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20050623165034/http://www.eubusiness.com/External_Relations/050317090821.tnkf9k7j/ |archivedate=2005-06-23 |df= }}</ref>


Cape Verde is 97% Christian and its background is a fusion of African, Asian, European and South American backgrounds, where about 70%<ref name=autogenerated1>{{cite web|url=https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/cv.html |title=The World Factbook — Central Intelligence Agency |website=Cia.gov |date= |accessdate=2016-10-01}}</ref> is African and mixed. Less than 30% is African,<ref name=autogenerated1 /> whereas about 1% is of unmixed European descent. Because of this, Cape Verdeans find it hard to define themselves as either mixed or Africans. They regard themselves as either ''both'' or as ''unique Cape Verdeans''. Politically, Cape Verdeans also worked as part of the Portuguese administration,<ref>[http://193.136.98.1/~lbatalha/downloads/eliteportuguesacaboverdiana.pdf] {{dead link|date=October 2016}}</ref> with independence leader [[Amílcar Cabral]] being part of the colonial administration in [[Guinea-Bissau]] and [[Angola]].
Cape Verde is 97% Christian and its background is a fusion of African, Asian, European and South American backgrounds, where about 70%<ref name=autogenerated1>{{cite web|url=https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/cv.html |title=The World Factbook — Central Intelligence Agency |website=Cia.gov |date= |accessdate=2016-10-01}}</ref> is African and mixed. Less than 30% is African,<ref name=autogenerated1 /> whereas about 1% is of unmixed European descent. Because of this, Cape Verdeans find it hard to define themselves as either mixed or Africans. They regard themselves as either ''both'' or as ''unique Cape Verdeans''. Politically, Cape Verdeans also worked as part of the Portuguese administration,<ref>[http://193.136.98.1/~lbatalha/downloads/eliteportuguesacaboverdiana.pdf] {{dead link|date=October 2016}}</ref> with independence leader [[Amílcar Cabral]] being part of the colonial administration in [[Guinea-Bissau]] and [[Angola]].


Cape Verde's [[List of countries by GDP (PPP) per capita|per capita GDP]] is lower than any of the current member states, accession countries, or candidate countries. However, it is higher than that of some of the EU-designated "potential candidate countries" of the Western Balkans like [[Bosnia and Herzegovina]]. In terms of respect of democracy the Freedom house report ranks Cape Verde top in Africa<ref>[http://www.asemana.cv/article.php3?id_article=25481] {{dead link|date=October 2016}}</ref> and again Cape Verde has a better ranking than that of some designated "potential candidate or member countries" of the EU: Bosnia and Herzegovina, [[Croatia]], and Albania.<ref>[http://www.freedomhouse.org/template.cfm?page=366&year=2007 ]{{dead link|date=October 2016}}</ref> Most of the imports and exports of Cape Verde are for and from the European Union, and it has a [[Service economy|service-based economy]]. Its currency, the [[Cape Verdean escudo|escudo]], is [[Peg (currency)|pegged]] to the [[euro]].<ref>[http://portal.fe.unl.pt/FEUNL/bibliotecas/BAN/WPFEUNL/WP2006/wp494.pdf] {{dead link|date=October 2016}}</ref><ref>[http://www.bcv.cv/_conteudo/noticia/eventos/Cape%20Verde%20RAC%20-%2005.pdf ]{{dead link|date=October 2016}}</ref>
Cape Verde's [[List of countries by GDP (PPP) per capita|per capita GDP]] is lower than any of the current member states, accession countries, or candidate countries. However, it is higher than that of some of the EU-designated "potential candidate countries" of the Western Balkans like [[Bosnia and Herzegovina]]. In terms of respect of democracy the Freedom house report ranks Cape Verde top in Africa<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.asemana.cv/article.php3?id_article%3D25481 |title=Archived copy |accessdate=2007-08-02 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20071008074717/http://www.asemana.cv/article.php3?id_article=25481 |archivedate=2007-10-08 |df= }}</ref> and again Cape Verde has a better ranking than that of some designated "potential candidate or member countries" of the EU: Bosnia and Herzegovina, [[Croatia]], and Albania.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.freedomhouse.org/template.cfm?page%3D366%26year%3D2007 |title=Archived copy |accessdate=2007-08-02 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20070715130357/http://www.freedomhouse.org/template.cfm?page=366&year=2007 |archivedate=2007-07-15 |df= }}</ref> Most of the imports and exports of Cape Verde are for and from the European Union, and it has a [[Service economy|service-based economy]]. Its currency, the [[Cape Verdean escudo|escudo]], is [[Peg (currency)|pegged]] to the [[euro]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://portal.fe.unl.pt/FEUNL/bibliotecas/BAN/WPFEUNL/WP2006/wp494.pdf |title=Archived copy |accessdate=2007-08-02 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20080218181644/http://portal.fe.unl.pt/FEUNL/bibliotecas/BAN/WPFEUNL/WP2006/wp494.pdf |archivedate=2008-02-18 |df= }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.bcv.cv/_conteudo/noticia/eventos/Cape%20Verde%20RAC%20-%2005.pdf |title=Archived copy |accessdate=2007-08-02 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20070928065317/http://www.bcv.cv/_conteudo/noticia/eventos/Cape%20Verde%20RAC%20-%2005.pdf |archivedate=2007-09-28 |df= }}</ref>


Although the Cape Verde [[archipelago]] is geographically in Africa, there have been similar situations before. [[Cyprus]] is an island nation that, despite being geographically in Asia, has already joined both the Council of Europe and the EU. Furthermore, the Cape Verde islands are part of the same island group as the [[Canary Islands]] (part of Spain), [[Madeira Islands]] (part of Portugal) and [[Azores Islands]] (part of Portugal), known as [[Macaronesia]]. There is currently no political recognition by the EU of Cape Verde as a European state, but unlike in the case of [[Morocco]], there is no formal rejection either.
Although the Cape Verde [[archipelago]] is geographically in Africa, there have been similar situations before. [[Cyprus]] is an island nation that, despite being geographically in Asia, has already joined both the Council of Europe and the EU. Furthermore, the Cape Verde islands are part of the same island group as the [[Canary Islands]] (part of Spain), [[Madeira Islands]] (part of Portugal) and [[Azores Islands]] (part of Portugal), known as [[Macaronesia]]. There is currently no political recognition by the EU of Cape Verde as a European state, but unlike in the case of [[Morocco]], there is no formal rejection either.
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==External links==
==External links==
* [http://eeas.europa.eu/cape_verde/index_en.htm EU Relations with Cape Verde]
* [http://eeas.europa.eu/cape_verde/index_en.htm EU Relations with Cape Verde]
* [http://ec.europa.eu/europeaid/where/acp/country-cooperation/cape-verde/cape-verde_en.htm EU strategy for Cape Verde]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20130430214342/http://ec.europa.eu/europeaid/where/acp/country-cooperation/cape-verde/cape-verde_en.htm EU strategy for Cape Verde]


{{Foreign relations of Cape Verde}}
{{Foreign relations of Cape Verde}}

Revision as of 15:12, 14 November 2016

Cape Verde–European Union relations
Map indicating locations of European Union and Cape Verde

European Union
Cape Verde
Politics of Cape Verde
Constitution
Executive
Legislature
Judiciary
Elections
Administrative divisions
Foreign relations

Cape Verde is an island nation, part of the Macaronesian group of islands of the Atlantic Ocean and was a former Portuguese colony during the colonial era between 1460 and 1975. In March 2005 former Portuguese president Mário Soares launched a petition urging the European Union to start membership talks with it, saying that Cape Verde could act as a bridge between Africa, Latin America and the EU.[1]

Cape Verde is 97% Christian and its background is a fusion of African, Asian, European and South American backgrounds, where about 70%[2] is African and mixed. Less than 30% is African,[2] whereas about 1% is of unmixed European descent. Because of this, Cape Verdeans find it hard to define themselves as either mixed or Africans. They regard themselves as either both or as unique Cape Verdeans. Politically, Cape Verdeans also worked as part of the Portuguese administration,[3] with independence leader Amílcar Cabral being part of the colonial administration in Guinea-Bissau and Angola.

Cape Verde's per capita GDP is lower than any of the current member states, accession countries, or candidate countries. However, it is higher than that of some of the EU-designated "potential candidate countries" of the Western Balkans like Bosnia and Herzegovina. In terms of respect of democracy the Freedom house report ranks Cape Verde top in Africa[4] and again Cape Verde has a better ranking than that of some designated "potential candidate or member countries" of the EU: Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, and Albania.[5] Most of the imports and exports of Cape Verde are for and from the European Union, and it has a service-based economy. Its currency, the escudo, is pegged to the euro.[6][7]

Although the Cape Verde archipelago is geographically in Africa, there have been similar situations before. Cyprus is an island nation that, despite being geographically in Asia, has already joined both the Council of Europe and the EU. Furthermore, the Cape Verde islands are part of the same island group as the Canary Islands (part of Spain), Madeira Islands (part of Portugal) and Azores Islands (part of Portugal), known as Macaronesia. There is currently no political recognition by the EU of Cape Verde as a European state, but unlike in the case of Morocco, there is no formal rejection either.

Cape Verde is a member of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS),[8] an African regional bloc with aims for internal integration similar to those of the EU, and even though it has not yet participated in all of its activities, it cannot have membership in both organizations at the same time. It is also a member of the African Union, an organization aiming for a common currency in Africa, a single defense force for the African continent and an African Union head of state.

Recently, Cape Verde has been distancing itself from its regional African partners[citation needed] and forging closer ties with the EU. In a move signaling its preparation to loosen ties with the West African regional bloc,[citation needed] the government of Cape Verde in September 2006 declared its intentions on suspending the ECOWAS free movement of goods and trade. Prime Minister José Maria Neves announced that his country will start imposing restrictions on the entrance of citizens from all ECOWAS member states. The Cape Verde government soon will present ECOWAS with proposals for "special status" instead of full membership.[9] This is also an effort to limit the recent rise of illegal immigration of other West African nationals using Cape Verde and its proximity to the Canary Islands as a springboard towards Europe. Cape Verde is also a member of the Generalised System of Preferences with further incentives for good governance (GSP+).

Complementing Cape Verde's efforts to join the EU, the Macaronesian group of islands (the Azores, Madeira, and the Canary Islands) are throwing their support for their regional brethren.[10] The Atlantic group of islands are pushing for an entrance of Cape Verde into the EU under a special status.[11]

References

  1. ^ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2005-06-23. Retrieved 2007-11-02. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  2. ^ a b "The World Factbook — Central Intelligence Agency". Cia.gov. Retrieved 2016-10-01.
  3. ^ [1] [dead link]
  4. ^ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2007-10-08. Retrieved 2007-08-02. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  5. ^ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2007-07-15. Retrieved 2007-08-02. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  6. ^ "Archived copy" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2008-02-18. Retrieved 2007-08-02. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  7. ^ "Archived copy" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2007-09-28. Retrieved 2007-08-02. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  8. ^ [2][dead link]
  9. ^ "afrol News - Cape Verde wants special status at ECOWAS". Afrol.com. Retrieved 2016-10-01.
  10. ^ "Cape Verde: Cape Verde Islands". Caboverde24.com. Retrieved 2016-10-01.
  11. ^ "afrol News - EU, Cape Verde display different interests in integration". Afrol.com. Retrieved 2016-10-01.
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