The Delegation was established at independence of the country in 1990, under the Third Lomé Convention - one in a series of treaties which defined the relationship between the European Union and the African, Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) countries, of which Namibia is a member. The Lomé Conventions, were succeeded by the Cotonou Agreement, signed in Cotonou, Benin in 2000. The partnership between the ACP and the European Union (formally known as the European Community) concerns political, economic and trade relations and aims at assisting in the development of the ACP countries.
The Delegation is in particular responsible for the co-ordination and monitoring of the development cooperation programmes financed by the European Commission – either through the EU budget or the European Development Fund (EDF). It works closely with Government Agencies (and intergovernmental agencies such as the SACU secretariat) to implement projects and strategies in the framework of the Lomé and Cotonou Agreements. The Delegation represents the European Commission in all matters, informing on all activities of the Commission and keeping its headquarters in Brussels abreast of significant local developments. It works closely with the EU member states in Namibia, and in particular, the country representing the EU Presidency. It also co-operates and co-ordinates activities with representatives of non-EU member states and multilateral organisations.
The Delegation, however, does not deal with consular matters.
These are handled by the member states' embassies.
