Brussels, 01/04/2014 (Agence Europe) - A shared vision and close cooperation for peace, security and prosperity in Africa, working closely with the African Union, and shared concern at the situation in the Central African Republic were the features of the meeting in Brussels on Tuesday 1 March of European Council President Herman Van Rompuy and Ban Ki-moon, the guest of honour of the fourth EU-Africa summit on 2-3 April (see EUROPE 11049). The United Nations secretary general will also take part in the mini summit on the Central African Republic (12.20pm-2.00pm on Wednesday 2 April) under the joint chairmanship of Van Rompuy, Francois Hollande and Mohamed Oul Abdel Aziz, President in office of the African Union, at which the formal decision to launch the EUFOR CAR will be formally announced (see related article).
“The United Nations and the European Union are close partners in all areas crucial for Africa's future - peace and security, development and human rights”, Van Rompuy told the press, expressing the hope that the fourth EU-Africa summit “will mark a new stage” in the partnership of equals in these three areas, and in particular a “peaceful and prosperous Africa”. Making it clear that conflicts in Africa “also affect Europe's security and well-being”, he pointed out that, over the course of the last 20 years, the EU had launched eight civilian and military operations in close cooperation with the UN and the African Union. “We are working hand-in-hand with the United Nations in Mali and in Somalia”, he said, announcing the full deployment of EUFOR CAR “in the upcoming weeks”. He added: “We strongly support the efforts of our African partners to strengthen African ownership in the area of peace and security”.
Ban underlined that “cooperation between regions is essential for progress” and that the UN is working with the African Union and the EU to provide “coordinated support for peace-keeping operations in Africa”. He hoped that this fourth EU-Africa summit would garner political will.
Ban said of the Central African Republic, where the killing and violations continue unabated: “I am deeply concerned by the situation in the Central African Republic and in particular at the effect of the fighting on civilians. The United Nations will do everything possible to mobilise the international community”.
Realisation of the Millennium Development Goals by 2015, particularly in health, and a global agreement on climate are also among the priorities shared by the United Nations and the EU. “There must be preparation for the conclusion of a global climate agreement next year. To bring success, I am counting on the EU, which is one of the most reliable partners”, stated Ban. Van Rompuy hopes that the climate summit of heads of state and/or government from the whole world, convened by Ban for New York on 23 September will “boost our joint efforts to achieve a binding international climate agreement by 2015”.
On Wednesday 2 April, the first work session of the EU-Africa summit will be devoted to peace and security, the second to prosperity. On Thursday 3 April, the final session will be given over to the theme of “investing in people”. This is where the issues of climate and migration will be discussed. (AN)