Brussels, 05/02/2007 (Agence Europe) - To move from the EU strategy for Africa, adopted in December 2005, to a joint EU/Africa strategy, is a goal of the partners involved in this project. The consultation process on the future joint strategy was launched on 5 February by Louis Michel, European Commissioner for Development, and Alpha Oumar Konaré, President of the African Union. It paves the way to elaborating a strategy for developing political vision and operational aspects for a future EU/Africa partnership. This common strategy, a first in the partnership of the two institutions, will be adopted during the EU/Africa summit in Lisbon in the second half of the year under the Portuguese presidency of the Council of the EU.
In a joint EU/AU press release, Commissioner Michel declared, “Today I would like to invite members of civil society, the unions, entrepreneurs and all African and European citizens who feel concerned about the future of our two continents, to make a bigger commitment and provide the necessary input for pushing the process forward”.
Konaré stated that this was a call for the participation of “all Africans, from all the different social classes in Africa and in the diaspora”. Mr Konaré added, “you are the voice of Africa, so get up and get yourselves heard”. He declared that he was convinced that this consultation constituted “an opportunity for all to take part in a process…in view of ensuring a better future for Africa”.
The consultation exercise, open to all European and African economic operators, will allow for reflection on the main challenges, objectives and priorities in the strategy, as well as the solutions to the problems that could impact on the EU and Africa's common future.
In the near future, the ministerial EU/Africa Troika planned for 15 May in Brussels, will present a draft for the joint strategy. The draft will be duly finalised and then submitted for adoption at the EU/Africa summit in Lisbon.
Consultation on the internet can be done through the website: http://www.europafrica.org set up for the programme by the European Centre for Development Policy Management (ECDPM). (an)