Determined to “work to strengthen the EU as a global actor” - its ambition for the external action part of its six-month term at the head of the EU Council - the Swedish Presidency, which took office on 1 January, intends to continue to develop the potential of the strategic partnership with Africa and make it a geopolitical tool at a time of multiple crises and the possible emergence of a multipolar world feared by the EU.
“The Swedish Presidency will contribute to highlighting the EU’s added value as a strategic partner of African countries, including on development, trade and security issues”, the work programme says.
In doing so, Sweden is carrying on from the work of the French and Czech Presidencies. As the leading partner of African countries in development, trade and investment, and security cooperation, the EU does not want to be outdone and has therefore undertaken to communicate more about what it sees as the benefits of this long-standing partnership, which was strengthened and modernised in February this year (see EUROPE 12894/1) compared to competing cooperation models of other actors such as China and Russia (see EUROPE 13011/4).
Although the African Union refuses to take sides against Russia in the war in Ukraine, the Swedish Presidency will also “work to strengthen relations with African countries and with the African Union, not least in light of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and its severe impact on the continent”.
The Swedish Presidency also believes that “cooperation with Africa will be very important in promoting democratic development, upholding the rules-based international order and tackling global challenges”. These include the climate, “promoting safe, orderly and regular migration” and the fight against terrorism and transnational organised crime.
The Swedish Presidency’s programme: https://aeur.eu/f/4p5 (Original version in French by Aminata Niang)