Brussels, 30/05/2011 (Agence Europe) - Consolidation of democracy and consolidation of growth are the two oh-so topical priority themes which will dominate the meeting of the Commissions of the European Union in Brussels on 31 May and 1 June, under the joint chairmanship of José Manuel Barroso and Jean Ping.
This meeting of the two institutions, which are the driving force of the strategic EU/Africa partnership, is the fifth of its kind, but the first since the EU/Africa summit of Tripoli on investment, economic growth and job creation last November, which resulted in a concrete action plan for 2011-2013. In the meantime, there have been major historic changes, not only in North Africa, where popular democratic uprisings continue, but also in Côte d'Ivoire, with the investiture of the democratically elected president Alassane Ouattara, in Niger, where presidential elections have led to change, and Sudan, which may justifiably be proud of the success of the referendum on self-governance for South Sudan, followed by mounting violence in the run-up to the ceremonial declaration of independence on 9 July. These questions will be debated in full. The details for getting out of crisis in Libya, changes to the neighbourhood policy of the EU and the new orientations of the development policy for post-2013 will also be on the agenda.
This annual meeting of the two Commissions, which is held in the EU or in Africa alternately, will include a plenary session to be attended by almost all the Commissioners and Secretaries General of the African regional organisations, on 31 May.
Thematic sessions bringing together the competent commissioners of the two Commissions will take place over the two days. Discussions will focus on the eight EU/Africa thematic partnerships: peace and security; democratic governance and human rights; trade, regional integration and infrastructure; millennium development objectives; energy; climate change; migration, mobility and employment; science, information society and space. (A.N./transl.fl)