Africa-EU Strategy meeting homes in on democracy and economic growth

The annual meeting of the respective African Union (AU) and European Union (EU) Commissions took place in Brussels, 31 May-1 June. Known as the College-to-College (C-2-C), it further strengthened political and technical cooperation between the two institutions and provided fresh impetus to implement the Joint Africa-EU Strategy and debated political issues in some African nations including South Sudan and Ivory Coast. For the first time, several Chief Executives of the African Regional Economic Communities took part in discussions.

Led by President of the European Commission, José Manuel Barroso, and Chairperson of the African Union Commission, Jean Ping, there was a particular focus on democracy and economic growth at this fifth ‘C-2-C’, given the political turbulence in North Africa and global economic flux.

The Strategic Partnership between Africa and the EU has set common objectives beyond the traditional donor-recipient focus, in a dialogue of equal counterparts. The EU is the biggest trading partner for the African continent. In 2009, 36% of total imports to Africa originated in Europe. For Africa, the EU institutions are also the second biggest donor worldwide for Africa. Under its various financial instruments, the European Commission has committed €24.4bn between 2007-2013 to support the Joint Africa-EU Strategy and its thematic partnerships,

EC president, José Manuel Barroso, reiterated EU support to the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (EITI), leading to a fairer distribution of the continent’s resources. “Africa’s resources should serve its own stability and prosperity. In the Commission, we support the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (EITI) and will table a legislative proposal in October to oblige companies to publish information about their activities in developing countries”, he told a press conference. The proposal falls in the ambit of the Strategy’s aim to improve economic governance.

In the areas of trade, infrastructure and regional integration, the EU and AU agreed to hasten the pace of negotiations on Economic Partnership Agreements (EPA) and make fisheries agreements more sustainable and mutually beneficial.

Action on the MDGs

“Urgent and decisive action” on the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) was highlighted in the joint statement on the meeting.

Both parties strengthened their resolve to accelerate implementation of the Africa Land Policy Guidelines including support of establishment of international guidelines on land access and other natural resources. The importance of organic farming was recognised. A kick off workshop aimed at drawing up a Strategy on Organic farming development in Africa, took place in Brussels, 11-12 July 2011. In the science and technology and innovation sphere, the first senior officials’ meeting of Africa-EU High level Science and Technology policy dialogue is due to take place, 10-11 October, 2011 in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. The AU and EU jointly voiced their on-going support for the African space agency project and establishment of a space sciences institute in the context of the pan-African university.

The eight partnerships

Peace and security

Democratic Governance and Human rights

Migration, Mobility and Employment

Trade, Infrastructure and Regional Integration

Environment and Climate Change

Economic Governance

Millennium Development Goals

Science, Technology and Innovation

Find out more on: www.africa-eu-partnership.org

Debra Percival