You can also take a look at Council publications, access the archives and search for legislation that the Council negotiates together with the European Parliament. A year later, in March 2015, the Council adopted the Gulf of Guinea action plan 2015-2020. It proposes to work together on five key global trends: These proposals build on a growing momentum in EU-Africa relations. Development cooperation is channelled through different financial instruments. The most obvious and damaging exhibit is, of course, the Common Agricultural Policy which takes up half the EU budget and lavishes subsidies onto the EU’s biggest landowners at the expense of millions of the poorest farmers in Africa. Since the refugee crisis, Europe has been courting African governments and banking on increased cooperation. Since Africa on the other hand is still very poor and faces many societal problems, Europe can through its actions in development cooperation and its policies, help Africa meet these challenges. African countries and the EU cooperate through multiple frameworks such as: In addition to these frameworks, the Council has adopted three regional strategies for the: Africa-EU relations also take place through formal dialogues, such as the EU-Africa summits. EU-Africa relations are based on the 2000 Cotonou Agreement with African, Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) countries, which grew out of the 1975 Lomé Convention. The EU was given its current structure and powers in 2007 with the Lisbon Treaty, also known as the Reform Treaty. In June 2017, the EU committed to provide €50 million to support the newly established G5 Sahel Joint Force in order to improve security in the region. The Cotonou agreement is the overarching framework for EU relations with African, Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) countries. So there are tariffs that affect some South African goods. The action plan takes into account challenges that have become more critical over the years, notably: The implementation of the action plan is led by the High Representative and the Commission. The Foreign Affairs Council welcomed the joint communication at its meeting on 15 May 2017. The EU-27 remains Africa’s main partner for trade in goods, making up 31% and 29% of African exports and imports respectively in 2019 (compared to China’s 11% and 16%). Read more about the role of the European Council, Cotonou Agreement (background information), EU-Africa roadmap 2014-2017, 2-3 April 2014, Joint communication to the European Parliament and the Council for a renewed impetus of the Africa-EU Partnership, Towards a comprehensive strategy with Africa (Factsheet European Commission), On the path to a deeper and stronger partnership, living up to the European and African aspirations: Council adopts conclusions on Africa (Council conclusions, 30 June 2020), Examples of EU humanitarian support to Africa during the COVID-19 pandemic (EEAS), Strategic framework for the Horn of Africa, November 2011, SHARE - Horn of Africa (European Commission), EU counter-terrorism action plan for the Horn of Africa and Yemen, Council conclusions on the EU Horn of Africa regional action plan 2015-2020, Annual report Horn of Africa regional action plan 2015/2016, EU Gulf of Guinea action plan, 16 March 2015, EU strategy for security and development in the Sahel, EU Sahel strategy regional action plan 2015-2020, 5th African Union - EU Summit, 29-30/11/2017, AU-EU summit in Brussels - 2-3 April 2014, African, Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) Working Party, Internal agreement on the 11th European Development Fund (EDF), Finding solutions to migratory pressures (background information), EUR 50 million for new Joint Force of the Sahel countries: EU steps up its support for security in the region (European Commission), EU trade with West Africa (European Commission), EU trade with the Southern African Development Community (European Commission), EU trade with the East African Community (European Commission), EU trade with Central Africa (European Commission), EU trade with Eastern and Southern Africa (European Commission), EU development and cooperation (Europeaid) in Africa (European Commission), Foreign affairs & international relations, A Partnership for the Green Transition and Energy Access, A Partnership for Sustainable Growth and Jobs, A Partnership for Peace, Security and Governance. But we also need to renew the search for a political solution to the crisis. Follow the latest developments on policy-making and on legislation under negotiation. Europe and Africa have close historical, cultural and geographical ties. European humanitarian values in action The European Union provides assistance to countries and populations, both within Europe and abroad, when major disasters or humanitarian emergencies occur. At least 13 Member States (out of 27) must vote in favour for a project to be approved. The EU cooperates with 150 partner countries in Africa, Latin America and the Caribbean, Asia and the Pacific, as well as civil society and international organisations. 29/03/2021 – HR/VP Blog – Last week the pace of international developments accelerated. The Council of the EU is the institution representing the member states' governments. African countries and the EU cooperate through multiple frameworks such as: 1. the Cotonou agreement 2. the joint Africa-EU strategy In addition to these frameworks, the Council has adopted three regional strategies for the: 1. The EU and its Member States are the leading provider of Official Development Assistance (ODA) to Africa. The main EU aid programme for Africa is the European Development Fund (EDF) and it works like this: All EU Member States participate in the EDF committee and each project is approved by a vote. Ultimately the AfCFTA is designed to create a comprehensive African market; what is does at this stage is set in motion a set of complex and fore­seeably very lengthy negotiations. These agreements aim to create a shared trade and development partnership backed up by development support. The Horn of Africa, a region in East Africa , has faced repetitive droughts over the past years, causing a severe humanitarian crisis. Under these treaties, the bloc’s twenty-eight members agree to pool their sovereignty and delegate many decision-making powers to the EU To find out more, visit the page on the Cotonou agreement: The EU finances development programmes and initiatives benefiting multiple countries across Africa. Summaries of EU legislation on humanitarian aid and civil protection The most important is the European Development Fund (EDF), which is based on the Cotonou Agreement and is not part of the common EU budget (see separate fact sheet 5.3.1 on development). The European Council brings together EU leaders at least four times a year. We have an interest in Africa’s success and sustainable development; we want to be partners in creating While the EU provides assistance to the African, Caribbean, and Pacific Group of States through the European Development Fund, it groups North Africa—the continent’s best … SahelAfrica-EU relations also take place through formal dialogues, such as the EU-Africa summits. But we have also seen important developments in their relationships with each other. The EU works together closely with the African Unionin this area. This outlines the EU's support to address the challenges of maritime security and organised crime in the region. We will use this data to improve your experience on our website. As a result of this, criminal activity is on the rise, such as: In March 2014, the Council adopted a strategy on the Gulf of Guinea. The Council of the EU and the European Council work on a wide range of issues affecting the interests of the EU and its citizens. In the last two decades, the European Union (EU) has been characterized by phases of progressive deepening and widening of the integration process and prolonged stalemates. Other cookies are used to boost performance and guarantee security of the website. Gulf of Guinea 3. The starkest example of the dark heart of the European Union is its brutal neo-colonial relationship with the Third World, particularly Africa. Pledging funding is easy, visible, and it pleases politicians on both sides. To get more information about these cookies, how and why we use them and how you can change your settings, check our cookies policy page. A senior EU diplomat closely involved in preparing the two-day summit in Abidjan, bringing together leaders from the African Union and the European Union, said previous initiatives to aid Africa were born out of a wish to help. Europe and Africa are both experiencing deep transformations that affect their integration paths and interregional relationship. The EU is looking to make a deal with North African countries similar to the deal it made with Turkey in 2016. The EU has launched several military and civilian missions and operations in Africa, as part of the Common Security and Defence Policy (CSDP). The European Union continues to monitor the humanitarian situation in Burundi. And it can get very complicated. A senior EU coordinator looks after the implementation of the EU Gulf of Guinea strategy and the action plan. In February 2017, EU leaders adopted the Malta declaration setting out their intention to increase cooperation with Libya, which is the main country of departure towards Europe. It outlines the action to be taken by the EU to help the people of the region achieve peace, stability, security, prosperity and accountable government. The joint Africa-EU strategy was adopted in 2007 as the formal channel for EU relations with African countries. In 2011, the EU adopted a strategic framework for the Horn of Africa. How much development and humanitarian aid does the EU provide in Africa? Adopted in 2015, the Sahel regional action plan 2015-2020 provides a solid basis for pursuing the objectives of the strategy. EU can help Africa become the ‘greenest continent’: German minister Published on 24/08/2020, 5:36pm. For the EU, helping to stop the human right abuses in the Tigray region and restore peace in Ethiopia is a high priority. The next EU-AU Summit was identified as a pivotal moment for renewing a comprehensive joint strategic approach that delivers on these aspirations. We use cookies in order to ensure that you can get the best browsing experience possible on the Council website. The press office is the first point of contact for all media requests. But the jury is still out on the effectiveness of this investment. However, even if Russia and China seem to join forces to face the “Western world”, the future geopolitical landscape of a multipolar world is not simple. The Council of the EU meets in different configurations depending on the topic discussed. Despite increasing competition, the EU also remains Africa’s biggest investor in both stock and … EU leaders are ready to engage on important avenues of cooperation including the modernisation of the Customs Union, the relaunching of high-level dialogues and people-to-people contacts, plus strengthened cooperation on migration management. The EU's foreign relations are dealt with either through the Common Foreign and Security Policy decided by the European Council, or the economic trade negotiations handled by the European Commission.The leading EU diplomat in both areas is the High Representative Josep Borrell. Europe is already spending over €2 billion to help African governments with border management and addressing the so-called root causes of migration. 03/04/2021 – HR/VP Blog - The humanitarian situation in the Ethiopian Tigray region remains very serious. It covers the EU's relations with 79 countries, including 48 countries in Sub-Saharan Africa. Most of the funding comes from the European development fund (EDF), which has a budget of €30.5 billion for the period 2014-2020. The European Council is the EU institution that defines the general political direction and priorities of the European Union. Press officers speak 'off the record' about the Council's activities. The conclusions noted that the Joint Communication constitutes an excellent basis on which to initiate a new ambitious partnership with Africa. On 30 June, the Council approved conclusions on Africa, restating the paramount importance of a stronger EU-Africa partnership. This conflict threatens also to destabilise the whole Horn of Africa. In addition to providing financial aid and engaging in dialogues with partner countries, the EU also conducts research and evaluation to ensure that aid is used effectively. The EU's African Peace Facility, which has a budget of €750m for 2014 – 2016, has provided much of the funding for African-led peacekeeping operations, as well for operationalising the African Peace and Security Architecture (APSA), helping to improve African capacities and mechanisms to pre… Refugees receive life-saving in-kind and cash-based food assistance. We engage African countries early and often as partners in pursuing our shared interests and values – from security, global health, climate change, freedom and democracy, and shared prosperity. Article 205 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union (TFEU). It helps organise and ensure the coherence of the Council's work and the implementation of its 18-month programme. In March 2020, the European Commission and the EEAS put forth the Joint Communication “Towards a Comprehensive Strategy with Africa”. Committees and working parties handle the preparatory work on files before they are discussed at Council meetings. The European Union (EU) is a political and economic union of 27 member states that are located primarily in Europe. EU trade policy and Africa's exports The EU is Africa's main customer for food and manufactured products Africa's exports to the European Union amounted to more than €116 billion in 2016. The Council and European Council are working to establish a comprehensive European migration policy. 31/03/2021 – HR/VP Blog – The Syria conflict has wreaked havoc for ten years and it is still going on. This describes how the EU can help countries in the region tackle these challenges and strengthen their maritime capabilities, the rule of law and effective governance. EU to provide further aid to Africa in return for help in stopping migrants cross Mediterranean Brussels is to link development aid to African … It is implemented through periodical action plans. It consists of the heads of state or government of the member states, together with its President and the President of the Commission. You can get in contact to arrange a visit, ask questions about the work of both institutions, and request a document, among other services. Europe is by far Africa's largest export market (35% of Africa's exports), followed by Africa itself (18%), China (11%), the USA (8%) and India (7%). Consequently, any data related to the United Kingdom posterior to this date will no longer be shown in the EU Aid Explorer, as part of “EU Member States”. EU-Africa relations are based on the 2000 Cotonou Agreement with African, Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) countries, which grew out of the 1975 Lomé Convention. In the same sense, the EU could help African regional integration by pushing for a reduction of the number of African « regional communities » (at least 14), most of which do not work ; and encourage the two big Euro-African « families » – English-speaking and French-speaking – to play fairly the trans-African … In 2020, the EU provided nearly €8.5 million in humanitarian funding to assist Burundian refugees in neighbouring countries and refugees voluntarily repatriated in Burundi. With your permission, we will use AT internet cookies to produce aggregated, anonymous data about our visitors' browsing and behaviour on our website. The COVID-19 pandemic showed us how interdepend our two continents are. South Sudan: Declaration by the High Representative Josep Borrell on behalf of the European Union Europe and Africa have close historical, cultural and geographical ties. The EU Delegation has announced the implementation of Agro-Tech Development initiatives in Sierra Leone and is now accepting concept note submissions for these initiatives. All the EU’s relationships with the world’s key strategic actors have been in play, i.e. The proposals set out not only the opportunities and challenges faced within each of these fields, but also 10 clear action points as a basis for future cooperation.