Monday, April 19, 2021
  • About Us
  • ImagiNATION
  • Adverts
  • Rate Card
  • Contact Us
The Nation Online
  • Home
  • News
  • Politics
  • Business
  • Entertainment
  • Life & Style
    • Every Woman
      • Soul
      • Family
    • Religion
    • Feature
  • Society
  • Opinion
  • Sports
  • Chichewa
  • Enation
No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • News
  • Politics
  • Business
  • Entertainment
  • Life & Style
    • Every Woman
      • Soul
      • Family
    • Religion
    • Feature
  • Society
  • Opinion
  • Sports
  • Chichewa
  • Enation
No Result
View All Result
No Result
View All Result
Home Columns My Turn

Africa-EU partnership for the future

by Nation Online
13/03/2020
in My Turn
3 min read
0
Share on FacebookShare on TwitterShare on WhatsAppShare on LinkedinLinkedinShare via Email

Europe looks increasingly at Africa—but with new eyes. There is ambition to lift our partnership to another level. We want to engage Africa’s youth who are determined to build their own future, ideally in partnership with others.

The European Union wants to make sure we do this together: not for but with Africa. This is also our approach in the proposal towards a new comprehensive strategy with Africa.

RelatedHeadlines

A cry of an up-and-coming musician

Debate Abortion Bill

Covid-19 vaccine logistics

The strategy is a start for an intense dialogue on our shared priorities, with the finishing line at the European Union (EU)— African Union (AU) Summit in October.

At the summit, we should jointly agree on concrete deliverables to benefit the lives of African and European citizens alike. The summit should serve as a catalyst.

The new EU leadership has put Africa at the very top of its agenda. The President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen and the President of the European Council, Charles Michel have been to Africa within weeks after taking office. 

Meanwhile, Africa is changing too and this change is driven by economic dynamism and the world’s youngest population. Regional integration is also advancing: with the African Continental Free Trade Area (ACFTA), the continent is aiming to create the biggest trade area since the founding of the World Trade Organisation.

Our twin continent is indeed in many ways the place for the future: be it climate change, digitalism, sustainable growth, fair economy and security, it is Africa, where the globally important decisions are going to be taken.

Regrettably, multilateralism is being undermined just when we need it most. The two biggest trends shaping our world—climate change and the digital revolution—are changing both continents.

This is why Africa and Europe should stand up for a model of international cooperation, based on rules-based multilateralism, political freedom, solidarity and human dignity. Inclusivity will enable us to harness the full potential of our citizens, including the youth and women.

Other players are increasingly active in Africa. What is distinct about the EU is that we put human development and sustainability at the heart of our vision: the right of people to shape their own lives in freedom and with their rights protected.

Progress in Africa is real, but there are still many challenges: enduring poverty, conflicts and democratic rights are under threat.

The expected doubling of Africa’s population presents real opportunities but also demands action. We need to be ambitious but also realistic and focused on what works. 

The key factor driving us to revamp our partnership is not our geographical proximity, shared past or personal links. What really drives our partnership is our shared future and shared interests. What forms the essence of a future-oriented EU-Africa partnership? This week the European Commission puts forward its proposal for a strategy for a partnership with Africa. The agenda is built on the green transition and energy access, the digital transformation, sustainable growth and jobs, peace and governance and migration and mobility.

Above all, Africa and EU need to be partners for multilateralism, defending a sustainable vision of how to organise societies and the international order, based on human rights and the SDGs, and engaging with youth.

We are ready to take a leap forward in the Europe-Africa relations. Both sides will need to invest in it. Europe for its part is ambitious and keen to discuss with our African partners how we can shape our shared future together.

Avatar
Nation Online
Previous Post

BWB collects K350m outstanding bills

Next Post

Death sentence retrial

Related Posts

My Turn

A cry of an up-and-coming musician

April 16, 2021
My Turn

Debate Abortion Bill

April 14, 2021
My Turn

Covid-19 vaccine logistics

April 7, 2021
Next Post
death sentence prisoners | The Nation Online

Death sentence retrial

Opinions and Columns

Big Man Wamkulu

Hot babe wants to trap me, should I ran?

April 18, 2021
Political Uncensored

Mighty mess!

April 18, 2021
My Thought

Chakwera’s indecisiveness will be his downfall

April 18, 2021
People’s Tribunal

Cut the crap, act on abuse forthwith

April 17, 2021
https://www.mwnation.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/WFP-Afikepo-1-2.pdf https://www.mwnation.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/WFP-Afikepo-1-2.pdf https://www.mwnation.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/WFP-Afikepo-1-2.pdf

Trending Stories

  • Lilongwe Road | The Nation Online

    OPC frustrates roads projects

    0 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • Ministry defends ‘borrowing’ of Covid-19 funds

    0 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • Traders fall short of Maize export demand

    0 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • Caroline Kautsire: English Professor at Bay State College in Boston

    0 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • Chakwera’s indecisiveness will be his downfall

    0 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • Values
  • Our Philosophy
  • Editorial policy
  • Advertising Policy
  • Code of Conduct
  • Plagiarism disclaimer
  • Disclaimer
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of use

© 2021 Nation Publications Limited. All Rights Reserved.

No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • News
  • Politics
  • Business
  • Entertainment
  • Life & Style
    • Every Woman
      • Soul
      • Family
    • Religion
    • Feature
  • Society
  • Opinion
  • Sports
  • Chichewa
  • Enation

© 2020 Nation Publications Limited. All Rights Reserved.

This website uses cookies. By continuing to use this website you are giving consent to cookies being used. Visit our Privacy and Cookie Policy.