Victor Borges, foreign minister of Cape Verde, who co-presided at the talks, said there was a moment when people thought the ACP countries were against the political dimension, which, he added, was not true "because these questions are a preoccupation for all of humanity and not just of the Europeans." However, he said the developing countries were concerned that money destined for development would be redirected toward anti-terrorism and anti-proliferation projects.

"Poverty reduction remains at the heart of the revised agreement, while the continuation of sustainable, long-term financing and inclusion of important security and political dialogue provisions render our partnership even more effective", said EU commissioner for development and aid Louis Michel.

The signing of the agreement took place as Caribbean nations complain loudly about recently announced changes to the EU's sugar regime. In an attempt to reassure the ACP over proposed EU reforms for cuts in sugar prices, Michel said an expected drop in EU production would allow the bloc to open its market to "the import of sugar from poor countries."

Michel gave assurances that the countries that suffered from the EU changes would be compensated, but he called on the less competitive countries to diversify their production since the EU could not throw money down the drain in countries where sugar production is not rational.

The EU also guaranteed that it would pay the ACP countries aid "at least equivalent" to the European Development Fund, which now stands at 13.5 billion euros ($16.3 billion) and is set to increase by 30% under the EU's contentious new budget.