The EU has a long history of partnership with Gabon, built on political dialogue, trade, and development cooperation, covering a wide range of bilateral, regional and multilateral issues.

The EU supports Gabon's domestic political and economic reforms which seek to provide increased economic diversification and governance, human development and capacity building, and a continuous democratisation process.

European Development Fund (EDF)

Under the 10th EDF, a total of €39.2million is earmarked for Gabon (see Gabon country strategy paper 2008-2013 ) with two focal areas:

• basic infrastructure and sector governance
• education and training.

Funding will also be used to strengthen public and private-sector capacity.

Gabon is strongly engaged in the fight against climate change and the protection of biodiversity.

Agreements

Negotiations are ongoing for an Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) and to renew a fisheries agreement. In addition, the EU and Gabon are negotiating a Voluntary Partnership Agreement (VPA) on forest law enforcement, governance and trade (FLEGT).

Regional organisations

Gabon hosts the Economic Community of Central African States (EECAS – or in French Communauté economique des Etats de l'Afrique Central) as well as the regional office of the United Nations for Central Africa (United Nations for Central Africa (UNOCA). Thus, the EU delegation in Gabon also deals with regional matters linked to EECAS, Equatorial Guinea and São Tomé e Principe.