Brussels, 08/07/2004 (Agence Europe) - At the African Union (AU) Summit in Addis Ababa on 6-8 July, the Dutch presidency made a declaration on behalf of the EU. The main points are as follows:
1. "The EU congratulates the African Union with the considerable progress made in achieving its objectives and in implementing its programmes and activities and reconfirms the European commitment to strengthen its relationship with the AU…2. The last year…saw considerable progress by the AU towards establishing a continental architecture for peace and security. The launching of an African Peace and Security Council (PSC) and adoption of its rules of procedure as well as the progress made in setting up African Standby Forces for an Early Warning System, will make a significant contribution to strengthening Africa's capacity for the prevention and resolution of conflicts….3. The EU Peace Facility for African which was set up at the request of the African Union will strengthen the capacity of the AU to engage in peace support and peacekeeping operations. Financing arrangements for the facility were approved this spring and the AU observer force in Darfur will be the first to be supported by the Facility. 4. Steps taken by regional organisations in establishing structures supporting the African Peace and Security architecture are equally encouraging…Strengthening the institutional and operational development of African organisations and institutions will continue to be an important focus of EU African co-operation. 5. The EU has noted the positive efforts being made by African countries aimed at consolidating democratic principles, good governance, as well as respect for the rule of law and human rights…6. NEPAD is an unprecedented African led initiative that has put better governance and mutual respect and accountability in the forefront of the relations between Europe and Africa. We applaud this new sprit of initiative and ownership now evident on the continent of Africa…7. The EU welcomes the operationalisation of the APRM as an important tool for improving governance practices in Africa…the European Union encourages those countries which have not yet joined the review process to do so…8. The European Union reaffirms the importance of the EU-Africa dialogue and of the strategic partnership with Africa…The European Union aims to work towards the holding of the second EU Africa Summit in Lisbon as soon as circumstances permit. 9. The EU will remain a steadfast partner with Africa in the fight against HIV/AIDS…The impact of HIV/AIDS on development in Africa should be an important element in the political dialogue with African partners, including the prevalence of HIV/AIDS in conflict areas and peace keeping activities. 10. Europe and Africa are both firmly committed to the implementation of the Millennium Summit Declaration and the achievement of the Millennium Development Goals. Further upscaling of financing for poverty strategies is needed …The contribution of the business community towards reaching MDG's should receive full attention of African European partners. The importance of a positive business environment and a good investment climate can hardly be underestimated. Innovation must pay its role, as it becomes clear that traditional structures fail to provide the growth necessary to achieve the goals. 11. The EU is committed to continue supporting the process of regional integration and to enhance African trade capacity. The launch of EPA negotiations with Western Africa, Central Africa and Eastern and Southern Africa is an important landmark in the co-operation between the EU and Africa in this field. The EU welcomes the decision to put in place a joint monitoring mechanism for the European Commission and the African Union Commission to work together to ensure coherence and mutual reinforcement between the Regional Economic Communities engaged in the EP A negotiations and the establishment of the African Economic Community. The successful completion of the Doha Round of trade negotiations which will adequately take account of the needs of developing countries is a priority for the coming period. 12. In their joint declaration on effective multilateralism the EU and Africa have underlined their strong support for the multilateral system in meeting global threats and challenges. They agreed that an effective multilateral system, including a rule based international order and strong international institutions, is essential to addressing the interrelated problems of conflict, poverty, underdevelopment and the absence of human security. 13. The resolution of Africa's external debt problem is critical for the sustainable development of African countries. The EU welcomes the joint report prepared by debt experts from the African and EU sides on the scale, nature and impact of Africa's debt problem. The report represents a shared understanding and analysis of external debt in African countries”.