Europe and Africa have close historical, cultural and geographical ties. 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 Strategic Partnership established in 2007 in Lisbon has moved the Africa-EU relationship to a new level. Both sides agreed to pursue common interests and strategic objectives together, beyond the focus of traditional development policy. The two continents started cooperating as equal partners.
Since 2007, the Partnership has considerably extended the Africa-EU political dialogue and cooperation. Tangible results have been achieved through innovative working arrangements, illustrated by the establishment of the EU Delegation to the African Union in Addis Ababa, the participation of actors such as the European and Pan-African parliaments, civil society or the private sector and the broadening of the scope of the African Peace Facility.
The Joint Africa-EU Strategy (JAES) defines the long-term policy priorities between the two continents, based on a shared vision and common principles. It is the political framework defining the relations between Africa and the EU. Its four main objectives are:
- Improving the Africa-EU political partnership
peace, security, democratic governance and human rights
basic freedoms, gender equality
sustainable economic development, including industrialisation
regional and continental integration
ensuring that all the Millennium Development Goals are met in all African countries by 2015
- Effective multilateralism
- A people-centred partnership
Daily implementation of the Strategic Partnership
The Joint Africa-EU Strategy (JAES) is being implemented on a day to day basis through Action Plans which have reinforced the intercontinental dialogue and led to concrete action in many areas. The two successive action plans are structured around eight thematic areas:
- Peace and Security
- Democratic Governance and Human Rights
- Regional Economic Integration, Trade and Infrastructure
- Millennium Development Goals
- Climate Change
- Migration, Mobility and Employment
- Science, Information Society and Space
The 2nd Action Plan (2011-2013) was adopted at the Africa-EU Summit which took place in November 2010 in Libya. The Summit also adopted the Tripoli declaration. This plan builds up on experience gained from the 1st Action Plan (2008-2010).