23/04/24 (Agence Europe) – On Tuesday 23 April, Senegal’s new president, Bassirou Diomaye Faye, who was sworn in at the beginning of April (see EUROPE 13379/22), called for a “rethought” partnership with the EU, in a joint statement with the President of the European Council, Charles Michel, who is visiting Senegal, reported AFP. Mr Faye said that his government’s priorities “revolve around an endogenous economic model of industrialisation, with the primary sector – agriculture, livestock farming and fishing – as the launch pad, as well as the strengthening of economic infrastructures”. For his part, Mr Michel said that it was up to the EU to be “a loyal, predictable partner with no hidden agenda”, citing, in particular, the issue of fisheries and fish stocks. In his election manifesto, Mr Faye promised to renegotiate the EU/Senegal fisheries agreements, which have been criticised by Senegalese fishers (see EUROPE 12883/5). (BD)