Brussels, 10/11/2010 (Agence Europe) - At a time when the major emerging economies are looking as though they will be partners of choice for Africa, the European Union, which is currently Africa's main partner, is resolved to give fresh impetus to the strategic partnership between the two continents. The communication adopted on 19 November by the European Commission on consolidating EU-Africa relations is preparing the third EU-Africa summit (29-30 November, Libya). The main theme of the summit will be “growth, investment and job creation” and it is due to adopt an action plan for implementing a joint EU-Africa strategy.
The EU's ambition is to promote inclusive and sustainable growth of Africa in the long term. This is to combat poverty and confirm Africa's political and economic presence in the international arena, said Andris Piebalgs, Development Commissioner. Catherine Ashton, the EU high representative for foreign affairs and security policy, asserted that strengthening and deepening EU-Africa relations was a priority of her mandate. This qualitative leap will take place within eight EU-Africa thematic partnerships adopted in December 2007 in Lisbon during the previous summit. It is, however, appropriate to improve working methods by making best possible use of political dialogue and all financial instruments and by ensuring participation by the largest number of players possible - the private sector, civil society and development banks. (A.N;/transl.jl)