OCTA - Association of the Overseas Countries and Territories Information

The OCTs are associated with the European Union through a regime based on the provisions of Part IV of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union. The rules and principles of this association are laid down in the Overseas Association Decision (OAD).The latest version of the OAD is in force since 1st of January 2014 until end of 2020. Created in 2002, the OCT Association (OCTA) provides a forum to develop effective working relationships with the EU and support the collective interests of its Members in several areas of co-operation of the EU-OCT association. These include: economic and trade co-operation; trade development; climate change and environmental issues; human and social development; cultural and social and regional co-operation and integration. Its highest decision-making organ is the Ministerial Conference which consists of the representatives (Heads of Government or delegates) of each member Government. The Ministerial Conference meets annually and sets the political orientations and priorities of the association.