In 1978 the European Commission began cooperation with Yemen and relations were formalised in 1984 through a Development Co-operation Agreement with North Yemen, which was extended in 1995 to cover the entire country following unification in 1990. In July 1998 an enhanced framework co-operation agreement focusing on commercial, development and economic issues came into force. The agreement provides the basis for a long-term contractual commitment between the Commission and Yemen.