The High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Josep Borrell, and the European Commissioner for Crisis Management, Janez Lenarčič, are on an official visit to Addis Ababa, seat of the African Union (AU) on Thursday 8 and Friday 9 October with a view to maintaining the momentum of a strengthened EU-AU partnership in light of the bilateral summit that has been postponed to 2021 due to Coronavirus (see EUROPE 12576/25, 12564/4).
Josep Borrell and Janez Lenarčič will hold talks with their counterparts from the AU and the Ethiopian government.
The following points will be discussed: - preparation of the EU-AU Summit aimed at a renewed strategic partnership on the basis of common priorities; - cooperation over peace and security; - bilateral issues under the framework of an EU-Ethiopia Strategic Partnership.
“Africa is our natural partner and neighbour. In order to deal with common challenges, we need a strong Africa, and Africa needs a strong Europe”, the High Representative emphasised on Thursday in a statement (see EUROPE 12518/15, 12442/1).
In a blog post dated 6 October, he insisted on the need to “strengthen our ties with Africa, which is a young and dynamic continent. Firstly, in order to face the current crisis [...], but also more structurally in order to jointly promote an economic development that is simultaneously green, digital and fair”.
On Thursday, Mr Borrell and Mr Lenarčič participated in a ceremony to hand over 7.5 tonnes of coronavirus testing kits to the AU and the African Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The tests were donated by Germany and transported by EU humanitarian airlift.
“This latest delivery of vital test equipment to the African Union completes the first phase of the EU humanitarian airlift”, the Commissioner explained.
Mr Borrell and Mr Lenarčič are planning to visit EU-supported humanitarian projects: a migrant transit centre run by the International Organisation for Migration (IOM) in Addis Ababa and various sites in Ethiopia, including a camp for displaced persons. (Original version in French by Aminata Niang)