Work is intensifying in the EU Council in preparation for the sixth summit between the European Union and the African Union on 17 and 18 February in Brussels, which, through a joint strategy, should lead to the re-founding of the strategic partnership and forge a new alliance between Europe and Africa, around the triptych ‘Prosperity, Security, Mobility’ (see EUROPE 12866/2).
The EU-27 ambassadors to the EU (Coreper) discussed this on Wednesday 2 February, focusing mainly on organisational aspects, but the discussion will continue on Friday.
“The exchange of views focused on the programme and the political declaration, but we are waiting for the comments from the African side. We will know more after the African Union summit, scheduled for 5-6 February”, an EU source told EUROPE.
There is consensus on the new approach proposed for this summit by the French Presidency of the EU Council and the Presidency of the European Council to reflect the ambition to refound the partnership and the need to underpin it with concrete projects.
Several round tables corresponding to major themes - health, climate, agriculture and sustainable development, support for the private sector, the economy - will be highlights at the summit (see EUROPE 12881/13). “There will be co-chairs for each round table with more lively discussions. The co-chairs will report back in two parts: once on the first evening and once at the end of the summit. It is also easier to have dynamic discussions on concrete issues than on concepts”, according to one EU diplomat.
At the same time, work is intensifying on the finalisation of the Africa Investment Plan being prepared by the French Presidency of the EU Council in close cooperation with the European Commission and the European External Action Service, following the ‘Team Europe’ approach mobilising the EU, its Member States and its financial institutions (see EUROPE 12881/13). The European offer will concern high profile projects in many fields: energy, transport, agriculture, biodiversity, migration, etc.
“All the projects identified have been identified after long work with the Commission, the Member States and the African countries. This work is done to check that there is political support. Not everyone will fund every project. This is not a constraint. We are now in the verification phase”, said a European diplomat.
On Wednesday, the discussion did not focus on this issue. On Friday, Coreper will discuss the key initiatives of this future enhanced partnership. (Original version in French by Aminata Niang)