Letztlich vereint: die EU und Afrika

Die EU sei gut positioniert um, aus neuen Möglichkeiten, die sich in Afrika böten, Kapital zu schlagen. Dies schreibt John Kotsopoulos in einem Papier von Juli 2007 für das European Policy Centre (EPC).

The next few months could have a „decisive impact“ on EU-Africa relations for many years to come, he says. 

Kotsopoulos claims that Africa presents the EU with an opportunity to improve its own external relations capacity and foreign-policy coherence, and develop a constructive role as a power in the region. A more robust EU presence in Africa is required, he believes, in order to address its shrinking share in trade markets and increasing Asian influence. 

Security of energy supply has recently become a major issue, and Africa’s abundance of natural resources is fuelling European engagement in the region, the author states, adding that Portugal has identified EU-Africa relations, and particularly sub-Saharan Africa, as a top priority for its EU Presidency. 

Recently, the UN World Summit in 2005, the G8 meetings in Gleneagles and Heiligendamm, the UN Millennium Development Goals and the 2005 Paris Declaration all placed Africa back on the EU political agenda, Kotsopoulos observes – as indicated by Commission President Barroso’s presence at the African Union (AU) summit in July 2007. 

The EPC paper highlights Africa’s importance as an alternative to the Middle East as source of energy and raw materials, which makes EU-Africa co-operation even more vital for Europeans, especially given China’s rise as a major player there and increasing US engagement in the region. 

Kotsopoulos believes that the launch of an EU-Africa Joint Strategy at the EU’s December summit could produce a genuine partnership, based on „shared goals, clarity and transparency“. The proposed Joint Strategy is welcome as it signifies „a more inclusive and balanced European approach“, he says. 

However, he stresses that it is also up to Africa to ensure that its relationship is meaningful and fruitful, through further development of the AU and increased leadership from South Africa. 

The AU is currently adopting a more comprehensive approach towards addressing the continent’s collective problems, the author argues – highlighting initiatives including the African Peer Review, an African Court of Justice, a Peace and Security Council, and the New Partnership for Africa’s Development as proof of such progress. 

Meanwhile, the EU’s own policy towards Africa has developed through initiatives such as the European Security Strategy, the European Security and Defence Policy, and a comprehensive EU-Africa dialogue – all of which have brought „coherence“ to the Union’s approach, Kotsopoulos believes. 

The EPC paper concludes that „something extra“ is needed for a true partnership to flourish. If the Joint Strategy is to provide this, many of its positive prospects will require „fleshing out“.