The opportunity and need to forge a new, mutually beneficial partnership between the EU and Africa, with concrete projects, was widely shared at a new debate on Tuesday 15 February on EU-Africa relations, ahead of the EU-AU summit on 17-18 February.
This summit is “a unique opportunity to put Europe back at the centre of attention of African partners, in an unprecedented context of the Covid-19 challenge and an increasingly competitive geopolitical landscape”, stressed the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Josep Borrell, emphasising the potential of a young continent called upon to “become a world power”.
AU Commission Chairperson Moussa Faki, “has indicated that we can achieve concrete and transformative projects. We want to strengthen our cooperation and define key priorities”, he said, adding that the EU will broaden its ‘Team Europe’ approach “to be closer to our partners and show that we are the most reliable partner”.
The joint EU/AU declaration will be forward-looking, with joint initiatives and a vision for 2030. The High Representative cited six areas of work to be translated into projects: - the Global Gateway Initiative for the global climate and health crisis challenges; - strengthening health systems; - education systems; - new security and stability instruments to address the spiralling crises in the Horn of Africa, the Sahel and Mozambique; - improving partnerships on migration and mobility; - an EU/AU initiative for an ambitious project for our planet.
The EPP, S&D and Renew Europe groups have already formulated their position, which European Parliament President Roberta Metsola will deliver at the summit (see EUROPE 12889/7).
Tomas Tobé (EPP, Sweden) stressed the importance of investment in Africa to create jobs.
Maria Arena (S&D, Belgium) said it will be necessary to “understand the wounds of the past”, to convince African populations, to fight against inequalities, and to promote sustainable investments by guaranteeing due diligence for companies operating in Africa.
“Europe is no longer Africa’s main interlocutor”, hence the need for flexibility, speed and efficiency of financial instruments to support it, said Chrysoula Zacharopoulou (Renew Europe, France). According to her, “it is up to Africa to choose, and predation and neo-colonialism are not among our methods”.
Pierrette Herzberger-Fofana (Greens/EFA, Germany) said that the basis for relations with Africa should be reviewed in the framework of fair and equitable agreements, to support sustainable development, fight climate change, and achieve the UN goals for sustainable development.
Idoia Villanueva Ruiz (The Left, Spain) is on the same line. She also warned against investments “that end up helping the military”.
Anna Fotyga (ECR, Poland) shared Mr Borrell’s positive approach. She highlighted the possibility of sourcing gas from Nigeria and stressed the importance of strengthening the African Union. On the other hand, Assita Kanko (Belgium), who is from the same political group, criticised Europe’s “cheque diplomacy” in Africa.
Nicolas Bay (ID, France) criticised the “€150 billion investment gift” that the EU is preparing to give to Africa, although trade with Africa is stable, while Africa’s trade with China is increasing. “The fight against endemic corruption” and EU aid that is conditional on migratory flows are, according to him, the priorities.
Several MEPs accused the EU of playing into the hands of multinationals and looting resources in Africa, which Mr Borrell denied.
He acknowledged, however, that economic growth, fair trade relations, and good governance as advocated by many MEPs are essential. “It is easy to build a road, but harder to build institutions that work. We do not know which model of governance will prevail in Africa. There are many other actors who do not hesitate to use disinformation”, he said. (Original version in French by Aminata Niang)