17/09/2018 (Agence Europe) – In Brussels on Friday 14 September, during an informal meeting chaired by Federica Mogherini and not by the Austrian presidency of the Council of the EU, European development ministers were briefed on the new Africa-Europe Alliance for sustainable investment and jobs (see EUROPE 12096). They underlined the importance of the role of women in deepening the Africa/EU alliance, which aims to create 10 million jobs in Africa in five years. “A new partnership with Africa must also mean a new partnership with women”, the Austrian foreign minister said in a press release. The ministers also held a first exchange of views on the proposal for a multiannual financial framework 2021-2027, which provides for joint “neighbourhood and development” funding of €123 billion (see EUROPE 12041), ahead of the public debate scheduled for Tuesday 18 September during the General Affairs Council. (AN)