Towards a renewed Africa-EU partnership

The Africa-EU partnership needs to evolve to support the sustainable and inclusive growth of the African continent. In view of the third EU-Africa summit of 2010 the Commission therefore presents elements which should guide the partners’ cooperation priorities.

ACT

Communication from the Commission to the European Parliament and the Council of 10 November 2010 on the consolidation of EU Africa relations 1.5 billion people, 80 countries, two continents, one future [COM(2010) 634 final – Not published in the Official Journal].

SUMMARY

The priorities of the Africa-EU partnership must be adapted to the new challenges of the next ten years. Enhanced relations between Africa and the European Union (EU) should in particular be beneficial for the sustainable and inclusive growth of the African continent.

Addressing common challenges together

The partners share common interests and objectives as regards:

achieving the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) – to do this they must build on the initiatives taken by African countries and pay particular attention to the more fragile countries and the most vulnerable population groups;
the peace and security process, monitoring of which must take place within the framework of the African Union and the UN, supported by regional mechanisms for conflict prevention;
promoting governance, democracy, rule of law and human rights, involving, in particular, civil society and the private sector;
defending common interests at international level and strengthening Africa’s position within international organisations;
combating climate change and environmental degradation, the sustainable management of natural resources, and disaster risk reduction.

A forward-looking vision

During the next ten years, cooperation and investment should contribute to instituting inclusive growth, promoting cooperation in terms of:

social cohesion, by extending social protection systems and good governance of the labour market;
developing accessible and reliable basic services and infrastructures, particularly in the energy, information and communication technologies, water and transport sectors;
skills, innovation and entrepreneurship, including education and training;
migration and mobility, to ensure legal migration related to the labour market, whilst monitoring the situation of vulnerable groups (such as refugees, asylum seekers and unaccompanied minors).

Cooperation should also enable the conditions for sustainable growth to be created, through:

regional integration, driving stability, growth and development, but also through increased trade and improved economic governance;
sustainable development and supply of raw materials, by supporting small and medium enterprises (SMEs) and respecting the environment;
increased agricultural production, particularly in favour of small-scale farmers, sustainable and ecologically efficient production;
energy efficiency and sustainable energies, identifying joint action timetables, investments and tax reforms.

See also