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The European Union and Africa: A Strategic Partnership
What is the EU Africa Strategic Partnership?
Leaders from the European Union and Africa met in Lisbon on 8-9 December at
the second EU Africa summit to agree a framework for a closer partnership
between the two continents. Leaders approved a
Joint
Strategy and a series of Action Plans that set out specific commitments over the next
three years. These new agreements build on many of the commitments made at
Gleneagles and at the December 2005 European Council held under the UK
Presidency. “EU Africa Partnerships” setting out co-operation and targets have
been agreed under eight headings: the Millennium Development Goals; good
governance and human rights; peace and security; climate change; energy; trade
and integration; migration; and science and technology.
How did this fit with the strategy signed in 2005?
In December 2005 under the UK Presidency of the European Union, the Heads of
State and Government of the EU adopted a Strategy for Africa,
The EU and
Africa: Towards a Strategic Partnership. The Strategy committed the European
Commission and European Union Member States to support Africa in the areas of
peace and security, human rights and governance, human development, development
assistance, growth, trade and regional integration. The aim was to give the EU a
comprehensive, integrated and long-term framework for its relations with the
African continent as the EU's development funding increases over the coming
years. It committed the EU to work with African partners to turn this into a
fully Joint Strategy.
What’s next?
EU and African Member States need to implement their commitments.
The UK will continue to work with future Presidencies and the European Commission to ensure Africa remains a focus for partnership for the European Union.
Additional information
Last updated 12 December 2007