Negotiations around a new Africa-EuropeanUnion (EU) strategy are expected to culminate in its adoption at a summit in October 2020. African negotiators should ensure that the continent’s priorities are integrated into the strategy. These include poverty reduction, health, digital access, small and medium enterprises, remittances, transport infrastructure, and the blue economy. More emphasis could also be given to Illicit financial flows, the brain drain and debt cancellation.
The AU started preparations for the Africa-EU strategy negotiations in 2018. In its 11th extraordinary session in November 2018, the body took the lead in continent-to-continent negotiations including on the Africa-EU strategy. That same year Carlos Lopes was appointed as the AU High Representative on negotiations of a new agreement with the EU post-2020. In February 2019, his office together with the AU Commission, presented a proposed AU strategy to the Permanent Representatives’ Committee for consideration ahead of the EU-AU Summit. However, the AU strategy is yet to be publicised.
