In the last two decades, the EU has established ten Strategic Partnerships (SPs). The `special ten´ are unequal in size, power, status and resource endowments. They differ in their adherence to European values and relevance to European core interests. No clear criteria for selection of an SP can be identified. Some of the special ten are global or regional powers; others are smaller countries without international leverage. The signing of free trade agreements with the EU is an exception rather than the norm; apparently it is not a precondition for a country to be upgraded as a strategic partner. The traditional SPs are with the advanced economies of Canada, Japan and the United States; the seven more recent strategic partners (the so-called BRICSAMS of Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa, Mexico and South Korea) still receive development cooperation.