Jutta Urpilainen eudebates the RE-SET of EU-Africa relations

Africa and Europe seek to re-set their partnership in the face of an unprecedented health and economic crisis. Commissioner Urpilainen met with young people, civil society organisations and other stakeholders to discuss EU-Africa cooperation.

Towards a Comprehensive Strategy with Africa

This first online event took place on 30th June, hosted by the think tank ‘Friends of Europe’. The debate is the first of a series of youth and citizen-led virtual discussions. EUdebates the vision and priorities of both Africa and Europe in line with the core themes of the EU’s Joint Communication ‘Towards a Comprehensive Strategy with Africa’.

EU-Africa common Future

“The idea is to have an open dialogue with citizens, governments, youth and civil society from Africa and Europe on the renewed Africa-EU partnership. As we wage a battle against a virus and recover from the economic and social shock of months of lockdown, now more than ever, we need each other. We need solid international partnerships.”, Jutta Urpilainen said.

Africa and Europe have a shared interest in accelerating work on the global agenda. Common interest for sustainable development and tackling the climate emergency together. Covid19 crisis is exposing the lack of resilience on the fundamentals of life (water, food, health, energy). Covid-19 conditions show the urgent need to rethink a common future.

We need Africa and Europe working together, and “building back better”. I am excited to have started our online stakeholder consultation on our Africa strategy, which I believe will also open a new era of reaching out to the youth and their readiness to interact and reflect virtually.

Jutta Urpilainen

Commissioner for International Partnerships

EU-Africa debates

A series of dialogues follow this kick-off event, focusing on different aspects of the Africa-EU Partnership. A range of EU Commissioners will be invited to eudebates. These debates, dialogues and reflections feed into the process leading up to the EU-African Union Summit in Autumn 2020. They help to refine the formulation of joint priorities.

EUdebates EU-Africa relations