Africa and the European Union

Latest news about Africa and the European Union. Two frameworks govern EU relations with African countries. The most long-standing one is the African, Caribbean and Pacific (ACP), enshrined in the 1975 Lomé Convention and updated in 2000 by the Cotonou Agreement. More recently, a continental approach has gained ground, which led to the Joint-EU Africa Strategy (JAES) conceived in the 2007 EU-Africa summit in Lisbon and reflecting the pan-African dimension.

European Union Emergency Trust Fund for Africa — 12 November 2015, 17:33 CET

The European Commission launched on 12 November with other EU Member States and other European donors the EU's Emergency Trust Fund for stability and addressing root causes of irregular migration and displaced persons in Africa.

EU cooperation with Africa on migration — 22 April 2015, 17:21 CET

The College of European Commission welcomed to Brussels on 22 April the College of the African Union Commission for their annual meeting. The meeting was to give fresh impetus in the relationship between the two strategic partners. Migration was a key topic in the light of the recent migrant disasters in the Mediterranean.

Ebola outbreak in West Africa - EU response — 08 September 2014, 14:16 CET

The European Commission announced on 5 September EUR 140m of funding for the countries currently affected by the Ebola virus in West Africa: Guinea, Sierra Leone, Liberia, and Nigeria. EUR 38 million of the new package is specifically designed to help those governments bolster their health services (for example through reinforcing treatment centres or support for health workers), both during the crisis and in the recovery phase. It will also provide support in the areas of food security, water and sanitation, which are essential in terms of safeguarding the health of the population.

European Trust Fund for the Central African Republic — 14 July 2014, 18:43 CET

The European Commission, Germany, France and the Netherlands are to set up the first European Union Trust Fund, the aim of which is to promote the stabilisation and reconstruction of the Central African Republic (CAR). The Fund has been christened Bêkou, which means 'hope' in Sango, the language of the Central African Republic. The scale of the political and security crisis in the CAR, the difficulties pertaining to infrastructure, the provision of basic services and the functioning of the administration call for international aid that is structured and tailored to situations of fragility and can be organised quickly and efficiently.

EU-Africa relations — 30 November 2017, 14:42 CET

On 29/30 November the EU and Africa strengthened their long-standing partnership at the 5th African Union - European Union Summit, in Abidjan Cote D'Ivoire.

EU development support in Somalia — 16 September 2013, 21:21 CET

On 16 September 2013, the EU and Somalia jointly held a high-level event entitled "A new deal for Somalia" in Brussels. The aim was to sustain the positive momentum in the country, to ensure it stays on the path to stability and peace, bringing prosperity to its people. The international community and Somalia endorses the so-called Compact - a key milestone of the process - pledge support to enable its implementation and, above all, re-commit to this new political process.

EU-Egypt relations — 21 August 2013, 18:35 CET

The European Union and Egypt established diplomatic relations in 1966 and are bound by the Association Agreement that came into force in 2004.

Boost for Enterprise Europe Network in Asia, North Africa — 29 September 2011, 12:55 CET

The European Commission is extending the reach of the Enterprise Europe Network - its business and innovation support network for SMEs - by opening new contact points in Japan, as well as doubling its presence in China. The aim, it says, is to see more European small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs) profit from the fast growing markets in Asia, Latin America and Eastern Europe.

Communication on the consolidation of EU-Africa relations - guide — 10 November 2010, 17:08 CET

Ahead of the Africa-EU Summit taking place from 29-30 November in Libya, the European Commission has presented its proposals for a consolidation of the Africa-EU relations. Building on the existing Joint Africa-EU Strategy launched in 2007, the Commission details common challenges where progress has been made and which still have to be jointly addressed, such as the poverty eradication, peace and security, democracy and human rights, global governance and climate change. While the achievement of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) will remain at the heart of the Africa-EU Joint Strategy, the Commission recognizes that there is a need to support Africa in strengthening its political and economic governance to allow better mobilization of the continent's own assets in a sustainable way. In that spirit, the Commission proposes to focus on initiatives that could help to trigger inclusive and sustainable growth in the long-term. These proposals will contribute to shaping the Action Plan on the implementation of the Joint Africa-EU Strategy that will be adopted during the Summit.

Africa-EU Energy Partnership - guide — 14 September 2010, 17:38 CET

The High Level Meeting of the Africa-EU Energy Partnership (AEEP) took place in Vienna on 14-15 September 2010. 15 African energy ministers together with some EU Foreign Affairs, Environment, and Development ministers took part. The AEEP is one of eight thematic partnerships under the Joint Africa-EU Strategy. During this Event, European Commissioner Piebalgs launched the Africa-EU Renewable Energy Cooperation Programme and confirmed start-up financing from the fast start climate action financing.

Revised Cotonou Partnership Agreement - guide — 24 June 2010, 16:52 CET

The official ceremony of a signature of the second revised Cotonou Agreement took place in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso, on 22-23 June 2010 in presence of EU Development Commissioner and representatives of the ACP countries. Changes to the agreement highlight an emphasis on climate change, and regional integration to combat problems affecting neighbouring countries. Other goals include coordinated efforts to maintain food security, and prioritisation of fragile states. Commissioner Piebalgs also inaugurated a street "L'Avenue de L'Europe" next to the EU delegation, and met with Burkina Faso's President, Blaise Compaore.

Libya: Economy Overview — 25 January 2017, 23:33 CET

Libya's economy is structured primarily around the nation's energy sector, which generates about 95% of export earnings, 80% of GDP, and 99% of government income.

EU Delegation to Libya — 05 December 2013, 23:18 CET

The EU Delegation to Libya exists since September 2011.

Libya Investment Climate 2009 — 15 February 2010, 19:29 CET

Libya has taken a number of steps to encourage foreign direct investment and its current initiative dates back to the mid-1990s.

EU strengthens R&D ties with Egypt — 11 February 2010, 17:06 CET

The European Union will offer EUR 20 million to Egypt to promote research and innovation, Ambassador of the European Delegation in Egypt Marc Franco announced at the first Euro-Mediterranean Innovation Marketplace in Heliopolis, Egypt in late January. The funds will be earmarked for the Research, Development and Innovation (RDI) programme that was established under the EC-EGYPT bilateral Science and Technology Cooperation Agreement in 2007.

The EU-ACP Trade Relations — 21 July 2009, 12:09 CET

Economic Partnership Agreements: A New Approach in trade relations between the European Union and the Africa, Caribbean and Pacific Countries (ACP).

EU 1 billion euro "Food Facility" for developing countries - briefing — 30 March 2009, 15:59 CET

The European Commission adopted on 30 March a EUR 314 million package of projects to support agriculture and improve the food security situation in 23 developing countries across the globe. This is the first financing decision in the framework of the EUR 1 billion Food Facility which was adopted at the end of last year as a response to the growing food security problems faced by many developing countries. The Commission also agreed to an overall plan for the use of the entire amount of the Facility, targeting 50 developing countries in total.

EU-Africa Strategic Partnership - briefing — 02 October 2008, 22:40 CET

Almost one year on since the launch of a new strategic partnership between the EU and Africa at the Lisbon Summit, the joint College to College meeting highlights the increased partnership between the two institutions. Discussions focused on the priority actions to be taken in areas such as migration, energy and the Millennium Development Goals as well as current concerns surrounding global economic stability and the increase in food prices.

Generalised System of Preferences (GSP) 2009-2011 - guide — 24 July 2008, 22:00 CET

The Generalised System of Preferences scheme - The GSP is an autonomous trade arrangement through which the EU provides non-reciprocal preferential access to the EU market to 176 developing countries and territories, in the form of reduced tariffs for their goods when entering the EU market.

EU trade deficit of EUR 35bn with Africa in 2006 — 06 December 2007, 14:26 CET

On the occasion of the second EU-Africa Summit, which takes place on 8-9 December 2007 in Lisbon, Eurostat, the Statistical Office of the European Communities, issues data on trade in goods between the 27 Member States of the EU and 53 African countries.

Economic Partnership Agreements (EPAs) - principles & objectives — 31 October 2007, 12:47 CET

The negotiations leading to the Economic Partnership Agreements (EPA) were launched in Brussels on 27 September 2002 to be conducted in two phases. The first phase is conducted at "All-ACP"-EU level and takes on board cross-cutting themes of interest to all parties concerned, mainly: legal matters, the development "dimension" of the EPAs, Agriculture and Fisheries agreements, services, market access and trade-related matters. The Second phase is conducted at ACP national and regional level with spotlight on specific commitments.

Economic Partnership Agreements (EPAs) - guide — 31 October 2007, 12:55 CET

The negotiations leading to the Economic Partnership Agreements (EPAs) were launched in Brussels on 27 September 2002 to be conducted in two phases. The first phase is conducted at "All-ACP"-EU level and takes on board cross-cutting themes of interest to all parties concerned, mainly: legal matters, the development "dimension" of the EPAs, Agriculture and Fisheries agreements, services, market access and trade-related matters. The Second phase is conducted at ACP national and regional level with spotlight on specific commitments.

EU Humanitarian Aid: Frequently asked questions — 13 June 2007, 15:42 CET

The European Commission on 13 June 2007 adopted a Communication paving the way for greater efficiency and coherence in delivering humanitarian aid. The Commission is calling for the European Union to work more closely together on a consensus that would boost its collective response to humanitarian crises. This includes advocating full respect for international humanitarian law, so that aid and aid workers can reach people in need.

EU offers full market access to former colonies — 04 April 2007, 17:55 CET

The EU offered on Wednesday to scrap most tariffs and quotas on exports from African, Caribbean and Pacific nations to boost talks on new trade pacts, but the proposition quickly met with scorn.

EU earmarks a billion dollars to combat South African poverty — 07 February 2007, 21:05 CET

The EU will hand over EUR 980m to the South African government in the next seven years to help fund anti-poverty programmes

Africa and the EU — 21 February 2014, 00:04 CET

The European Union has adopted a new approach to trading relations with Africa responding to the need for change through the negotiation of Economic Partnership Agreements.