COMMISSION STAFF WORKING DOCUMENT SUMMARY OF THE EX-ANTE EVALUATION Accompanying the document Proposal for a COUNCIL DECISION amending Council Decision (EU) 2021/1764 of 5 October 2021 on the association of the Overseas Countries and Territories with the European Union including relations between the European Union on the one hand, and Greenland and the Kingdom of Denmark on the other
Date: 2025-09-03
Institutions: Directorate-General for International Partnerships, European Commission
Subjects: Denmark, EU financing, Greenland, cooperation policy, development aid, financial aid, multiannual financial framework, overseas countries and territories, sustainable development

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   EUROPEAN COMMISSION  Brussels, 3.9.2025  SWD(2025) 626 final  COMMISSION STAFF WORKING DOCUMENT SUMMARY OF THE EX-ANTE EVALUATION           Accompanying the document Proposal for a COUNCIL DECISION        amending Council Decision (EU) 2021/1764 of 5 October 2021           on the association of the Overseas Countries and Territories with the European Union including relations between the European Union on the one hand, and Greenland and the Kingdom of Denmark on the other                         {COM(2025) 599 final} - {SWD(2025) 625 final}  
 
 
Summary of the ex-ante Evaluation 
EU PARTNERSHIP WITH 
THE OVERSEAS COUNTRIES AND TERRITORIES 

The ex-ante evaluation of the European Union (EU) partnership with the Overseas Countries and 
Territories (OCTs) has been developed in close alignment with the orientations of the upcoming 
Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF)1 and in line with EU policy priorities. By embedding the 
analysis in this guiding context, the document: 

•  Outlines the main features of the EU-OCTs partnership,  
•  Elaborates on the performance of the partnership and the EU added value,  
•  Examines lessons learned and challenges,  
•  Explains a ‘single option’ for the implementation of the partnership, and 
•  Proposes recommendations for the next MFF. 

The  evaluation  demonstrates  DOAG’s2  consistently  high  performance  towards  achieving  the 
desired outcomes. In particular, the evidence shows that DOAG: 

• 

Is on track to effectively deliver its objectives, reaffirming the strategic dimension of the 
partnership. 

•  Has  successfully  integrated  the  former  Greenland  Decision3  and  is  delivering  on  the 

partnership with Greenland. 

•  Has promoted coherence with the broader EU financing architecture. 

While  the  evaluation  concludes  that  DOAG  has  been  fit  for  purpose,  several  challenges  were 
identified in the following areas: 

•  Adaptation to global trends and integration into regional economies. 
•  Coherence with the broader EU financing architecture. 
•  Effective dialogue.  

Considering the legal nature of DOAG4, and taking due account of the analysis of the performance 
and the added value of the EU action, as well as the lessons learned and identified challenges, the 
evaluation proposes a set of amendments to further enhance DOAG’s strategic dimension and to 
ensure more impact while delivering on the objectives of the EU-OCTs partnership.  

The amendments cover relevant DOAG recitals as well as articles of the body text and Annex I. 
Annexes II, III, and IV were significantly updated during the 2021-2027 MFF negotiations and 
remain fit for purpose. The proposed changes aim at:  

• 

Integrating DOAG better into the strategic investment agenda under the Global Gateway, 
by applying more flexibility and an updated toolbox. 

•  Reinforcing  coherence  within  the  broader  EU  financing  architecture,  including  relevant 
cross-references specifying eligibility and access of the OCTs to Union programmes and 
external financing instruments, as well as streamlined provisions for financial cooperation 
via references to Global Europe.  

•  Enhancing structure and strengthening strategic focus of the dialogue. 

1   Communication from the Commission|: ‘The road to the next Multiannual Financial Framework’: COM (2025) 

46 of 11 February 2025. 

2   Decision on the Overseas Association, including Greenland: Council Decision (EU) 2021/1764 of 5 October 

2021. 

3   Council Decision 2014/137/EU of 14 March 2014 on relations between the European Union on the one hand, and 

Greenland and the Kingdom of Denmark on the other.  

4   DOAG – which is an association Decision - does not have a sunset clause linked to the duration of the MFF, 

except for its 2021-2027 funding programme.