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Africa-EU continental cooperation
Posted by Daniel Makhura on 11 July 2017 8:55 AM SAST
How the European Union work with the African continent
Cooperation at a continental level between Africa and the European Union is guided by a Strategic Partnership, which is based on shared values and common interests. In 2007, the Joint Africa-EU Strategy (JAES) (link is external) was adopted by both partners to forge stronger links between the two continents in key areas of cooperation, to deepen the political dialogue, and to provide a concrete road map for future joint work.
In an ever changing world, one thing is sure: Africa and Europe will remain each other's closest neighbours. Africa's 54 countries and the European Union's 28 Member States have a shared neighbourhood, history and future.
It was in this spirit that African and European leaders as well as the presidents of the continental institutions came together at the Lisbon Summit in December 2007 to put their relations on a new footing and to create the Africa-EU Partnership, based upon a strong political relationship and close cooperation in key areas.
Africa has been pursuing its political and economic integration at the continental level. From the foundation of the Organisation of African Unity (OAU) 50 years ago, and even more so since the creation of the African Union (AU) in 2002, Africa has built continental institutions and established ambitious policies and initiatives in many key areas that are both important for the development of the continent and of direct interest to the EU. In this context, developing the relationship between the two Unions has become a priority for both sides.
