The European Commission and the
High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy today proposed the
basis for a new strategy with Africa.
The communication sets out
proposals to intensify cooperation through partnerships in five key areas:
green transition; digital transformation; sustainable growth and jobs; peace
and governance; and migration and mobility. Based on this document, Europe will
engage discussions with African partners towards a new joint strategy to be
endorsed at the European Union – African Union Summit in October 2020.
European Commission President,
Ursula von der Leyen, said: “Today’s Strategy with Africa is the roadmap to
move forward and bring our partnership to the next level. Africa is the
European Union’s natural partner and neighbour. Together we can build a more
prosperous, more peaceful and more sustainable future for all.”
High Representative for Foreign
Affairs and Security Policy/Vice-President of the European Commission for a stronger
Europe in the World, Josep Borrell, said: “A part of Europe’s future is at
stake in Africa. To face our common challenges, we need a strong Africa, and
Africa needs a strong Europe. There is everything to gain from reinforcing our
already very strong partnership in areas such as peace and stability, poverty
and inequalities, terrorism and extremism. Both our continents need each other
to strengthen themselves, to strengthen each other, and to achieve a common
ambition: a better world based on a rules-based international order.”
The European Commissioner for
International Partnerships, Jutta Urpilainen, commented: “With the proposed
five partnerships, built around our shared interests and values, Africa and
Europe will together lead on the green and digital transformation, as well as
promote sustainable investment and jobs. My key priority now is to ensure that
the Strategy with Africa is owned by the youth and women, as it responds to
their aspirations.”
The renewed cooperation on the
partnerships around the five areas proposed today will build on an ongoing
dialogue with African partners, which will be taken forward ahead of the next
EU-AU Summit in Brussels in October 2020 in view of defining joint strategic
priorities for the years to come.
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