European Union to provide over €28bn to Africa

By Edmund Smith-Asante, BACK FROM BRUSSELS

Some of the Heads of State at the Summit

The European Union (EU) has pledged over €28 billion to Africa in the next six years (2014 – 2020), in addition to bilateral cooperation between EU member states and African countries.

This figure would go into the implementation of priorities identified by both the EU and African states during the 4^th EU-Africa summit held from April 2 to April 3, 2014 in Brussels, Belgium, under the theme “Investing in People, Prosperity and Peace”.

The amount, which was announced in a declaration issued after the two-day summit, would basically come from a wide range of financial instruments and policy initiatives geared at peace and security; democracy, good governance and human rights and human development.

Others are sustainable and inclusive development and growth and continental integration, as well as global and emerging issues.

Peace and Security

In the 63-point declaration, the two continents committed to among others, address “non-traditional challenges to peace and security in areas such as climate change, water, energy and cybersecurity, which have an increasing influence on economic and social development.”

While pledging support for peace on the African continent using the African Peace and Security Architecture (APSA), African Standby Force and the African Capacity for Immediate Responses to Crises (ACIRC), the EU committed to work in close collaboration with Africa.

This it said it would do, “in the framework of the APSA, in support of African led peace operations and, more generally, African efforts in areas like security sector reform, border management, peacebuilding or post-conflict reconstruction or reconciliation, through the provision of advice, mentoring and training.

The summit also committed to fight international terrorism, transnational organised crime including human trafficking, wildlife, natural resources and drug smuggling, the spread of small arms and weapons of mass destruction and work together to fight illegal fishing and dumping of toxic waste.

Prosperity

Climate change, business and trade and energy formed the main thrust of commitments to prosperity on both continents.

The summit declared the determination of both parties to adopt in Paris in 2015, a fair, equitable and legally binding Agreement under the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCC), which would apply to all parties and come into effect by 2020.

To help Africa adapt to climate change, the EU pledged to support in the preparation of regional and national climate-resilient and low emission development strategies, especially in agriculture and access to sustainable and renewable energy.

Agreeing on the need to improve on the business climate in order to attract investors for existing businesses which have a vital role in job creation, the summit listed access to affordable credit, stable political, judicial and regulatory environments and labour markets respecting international standards as important factors.

“On the way to greater economic integration, we will cooperate to develop transport, access to drinking water and to sustainable and affordable energy, with a particular focus on renewable energy and energy efficiency,” the summit declared.

Touching on a Continental Free Trade Area (CFTA) in Africa and Economic Partnership Agreements (EPAs), the summit agreed that “It is important that Africa and Europe develop globally competitive industries that can succeed in today’s global markets and contribute to sustainable development. EPAs should be structured to ensure that our trade expands and that it supports growth of intra-regional trade in Africa.”

People

Focusing on education, health and migration, the meeting agreed to equip citizens with the knowledge, skills and services they need, to take advantage of the opportunities that growth provides and lift the neediest from poverty.

It also decided to promote student exchange programmes between the two continents and countries in Africa, as a way of enhancing higher education and intensify bilateral and multilateral cooperation to provide affordable, sustainable and quality healthcare to all.

The summit also committed to deal with irregular migration at the root cause, saying “We are appalled by the loss of life caused by irregular migration and remain more than ever committed to further action to avoid such tragedies in future. We reiterate our unambiguous commitment to continue fighting trafficking in human beings, which is a new form of slavery.”

Writer’s email: Edmund.Asante@graphic.com.gh

QUOTE

“It is important that Africa and Europe develop globally competitive industries that can succeed in today’s global markets and contribute to sustainable development. EPAs should be structured to ensure that our trade expands and that it supports growth of intra-regional trade in Africa.”