Brussels, 21/03/2011 (Agence Europe) - On Monday 21 March at their meeting in Brussels, EU foreign ministers backed the idea of an integrated EU approach for the poverty-stricken and unstable Sahel region in Africa that is coming under increasing threat from Al-Qaida in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM). This holistic approach sees security and development as two inseparable domains to be dealt with at the same time and was unveiled to them by EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Catherine Ashton following their request for such a policy (see EUROPE 10305). To flesh out the strategy, Catherine Ashton and the European Commission are invited to publish proposals to be implemented in consultation with the countries in the Sahel and African regional organisations.
In its conclusions document, the Council of Ministers says that “security and development cannot be separated; improving the security situation is integral to economic growth and the reduction of poverty in the region. In that context, the Council supports the integrated approach as well as the strategic objectives proposed in the political strategy… and also supports the primary focus of the strategy in its initial phase on Mali, Mauritania and Niger around four particular strands of action: development, good governance and internal conflict resolution; political and diplomatic issues; security and rule of law; countering violent extremism.”
“Building on existing national, bilateral and multilateral engagements, the EU will work in close cooperation with the authorities of the countries of the region, civil society and regional and international bodies, including the African Union (AU) and ECOWAS, to fight the root causes of poverty, support economic development, good governance and improved access to key infrastructures and basic services for the local population. The EU will also support the consolidation of state institutions, justice, police and customs to strengthen security and the rule of law in the region with a view to reducing the threat from terrorism, kidnapping and cross-border criminal activity such as the trafficking of drugs and human beings”, explains the conclusions document. (A.N./transl.fl)