Global development and emerging countries: challenges for the EU cooperation policy

The rise of the emerging countries and South-South cooperation has created a scenario of adversity for the EU in the field of development cooperation. It affects its leadership position, its influence, legitimacy and normativity. This article examines this challenge and the EU's response to it through the significant reforms adopted from 2011 onwards, particularly, the "Agenda for Change" of the development policy and the new instruments that link trade and development. The article concludes that the EU has found itself stuck between a difficult adjustment and entrenchment in a traditional North-South aid paradigm that impedes the search for triangular cooperation formulas and new associations for development of a horizontal nature with middle-income countries.