Brussels, 20/03/2008 (Agence Europe) - On Wednesday 19 March, the European Commission adopted a Commission communication by Commissioners Louis Michel (development) and Benita Ferrero-Waldner (external relations) on follow-up to the EU/Africa summit held in Lisbon on 8/9 December 2009. In this document on the Commission's commitment in a partnership of results, Mr Michel and Ms Ferrero-Waldner inform their colleagues of measures that must be taken to ensure appropriate implementation of commitments made at the Lisbon Summit. The Africa/EU joint strategy (adopted during the Lisbon Summit) is a unique partnership, not only regarding its truly continental dimension but also because of its vast scope. The EU and Africa have both made ambitious commitments. The two commissioners state in their communication that their collective responsibility is now to rapidly achieve results. In their view, the year 2008 will be decisive in many respects for achieving a successful new partnership between Africa and the EU.
The first part of the document is on political and institutional procedure to be set in place at the level of the European Commission, the other EU institutions and Africa. It is important, the communication stipulates, that the Commission, that wishes to play a “major role” in implementation of the Joint Strategy and the eight thematic partnerships arising from it, should be supported by “clear strategic priorities” as well as internal structures that are both rationalised and well organised in order to interact effectively with the member states and the African partners. Thus, for example, the Commission's interservice task force “Africa” will be strengthened, mainly in the aim of ensuring transparency and effective exchange of information between commissioners concerned. It is also suggested that each Commission delegation in Africa, including in the Maghreb and Mashrek regions, should designate a specific discussion partner who would be entrusted with the task of reporting on implementation of the Joint Strategy and of ensuring follow-up. The working structures at the level of the Council of Ministers should also be improved, the Commission states. For example, EU “implementation teams” should be formed for each Africa/EU partnership. These teams would be responsible for ensuring the joint participation of member states, the Commission and the Council secretariat. The Commission also supports the idea of more active involvement by non-state actors in the implementation of the Joint Strategy. To this end, a “cartography” of European and African civil societies should be completed in 2008.
The second part of the communication describes the existing situation and the actions to be carried out with a view to complete and lasting establishment of the EU delegation with the African Union (AU). This delegation, which has its seat in Addis-Ababa and which is currently headed by EU Special Representative for the African Union Koen Vervaeke, must be a “key player” in implementation of the Joint Strategy and the consolidation of relations between the EU and the AU, the Commission points out. It calls for the delegation to be given adequate means so that the high expectations raised by its creation in 2007 may be met. (H.B.)