Brussels, 22/06/2007 (Agence Europe) - EU heads of state and government see the 2nd EU-Africa summit, to be held in Lisbon in December 2007, as an important opportunity to enhance relations between the EU and Africa and to put in place a new and ambitious strategic partnership. The draft conclusions likely to be adopted at the end of the European Council express this expectation and confirm the importance they attach to the pursuit of close cooperation with the African Union to ensure that a common EU-Africa strategy is adopted. This would mean a major leap in bilateral relations, going far beyond the EU strategy for Africa, which has been in force since December 2005
The Council also stresses the need for new arrangements to allow the EU to release funds as soon as possible to support the African Union's rapid deployment capability, something that is considered a priority by EU heads of state and government. (an)