8TH EU-AFRICA MINISTERIAL TROIKA MEETING: Final Communiqué

In the framework of the EU-Africa dialogue, the 8th Ministerial Meeting of the EU and African Troikas took place in Brussels, Belgium, on 15 May 2007. The meeting of Ministers was co-chaired by the Secretary General/High Representative for Common Foreign and Security Policy of the Council of the European Union, Dr Javier Solana and H.E. Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, Foreign Minister of the Republic of Ghana and current chairperson of the African Union (AU) Executive Council.

The African troika was also composed of H.E. Ambassador Raymond Serge Bale, representing the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Congo, Dr. Maxwell M. Mkwezalamba, Commissioner for Economic Affairs and Ambassador Said Djinnit, AU Commissioner for Peace and Security.

The EU Troika was also composed of Minister of State at the Federal Foreign Office of Germany, Mr. Gernot Erler, the Minister of State and Foreign Affairs of Portugal, H.E. Luis Amado and Mr Olli Rehn Commissioner for Enlargement, European Commission.

1) EU/AFRICA DIALOGUE

a. Discussion and endorsement of the Joint EU-Africa Strategy outline

Ministers welcomed and endorsed the Joint EU-Africa Strategy Outline as elaborated by the EU/Africa Expert Troika. They recognised it as an excellent basis for the elaboration of a fully fledged Joint Strategy that provides for a solid foundation for an ambitious and long term strategic partnership between the EU and Africa that delivers concrete positive results for the people in Africa, Europe and beyond. They agreed that it also provides a clear framework for the future relations of the two continents with value added in the pursuit of the four objectives identified in the outline, namely: (1) to reinforce and elevate the EU-Africa political partnership to address issues of common concern; (2) to continue to promote peace, security, sustainable development, human rights and regional and continental integration in Africa; (3) to jointly address global challenges; and (4) to facilitate and promote a broad-based and wide-ranging people-centred partnership.

Ministers tasked the EU/Africa Experts Troika to continue its important work and to draft without delay, and in continued consultations with all stakeholders, including the civil society, a Joint EU/Africa Strategy and an initial action plan to be presented to the next EU/Africa Ministerial Troika in the second half of 2007 with a view to its adoption at the second EU/Africa Summit in Lisbon. The next EU-Africa Ministerial Troika will review progress in this regard.

Both sides agreed that the Joint Strategy would have to be a concise document, which will embody an EU-African consensus of values, common interests and strategic objectives. Both parties stressed that this document should comprise political, economic and social as well as operational elements including a mechanism to monitor its implementation.

b. Preparation of the EU-Africa Summit in Lisbon

Welcoming the intensification of the EU-Africa dialogue, Ministers agreed to expedite work towards the holding of the second EU-Africa Summit in Lisbon in December 2007, which should mark the beginning of a new strategic partnership for the 21st century.

Both sides agreed that the Summit will need to secure broad and high level participation from the AU and all African countries and the EU and its Member States, and that it has to focus on substantive outcomes among which should figure most prominently a Joint EU/Africa Strategy and an initial action plan.

c. Joint Implementation Matrix

Ministers endorsed the recommendations made by the Senior Officials, that in view of the progress currently being made in the elaboration of the envisaged Joint EU- Africa Strategy, any updates of the Joint Implementation Matrix should be temporarily postponed until the experts tasked with the elaboration of the Joint Strategy have developed and formulated proposals on the implementation, monitoring and evaluation mechanisms for the Joint EU Africa Strategy, and on the use of the Joint Implementation Matrix.

d. Developments within the EU and the AU

Ministers informed each other of developments within the EU and the AU respectively.

2) PEACE AND SECURITY

a. African Peace and Security Architecture (APSA)

Ministers recalled the African Union engagement in the establishment of the African Peace and Security Architecture (APSA), and stressed the need for continuing adequate, coherent and sustainable support to be provided by the EU for the establishment of the APSA, including predictable and flexible funding for African-led peace support operations.

In this context, Ministers stressed that the Africa Peace Facility (APF) remains by far the most important source of funding for this support and welcomed the EU commitment to provide an amount of €300 million for the Facility under the 10th EDF for an initial three year period (2008-2010).

In order to strengthen the coherence of EU support to the APSA, Ministers further emphasised the need for the EU to support long term capacity building, including military and civilian crisis management relating to African capabilities for the prevention, management and resolution of conflict. Ministers welcomed the ongoing discussions on the "EU concept for strengthening African capabilities for the prevention, management and resolution of conflicts" and highlighted that, in order to ensure an effective implementation of the actions proposed in this plan, both parties had to deliver on their respective commitments; namely: (1) on the EU side, flexible implementation, closely coordinated with other international partners; a commitment to develop sustainable solutions for supporting African Peace Support Operations in general and, in the short term, for specific missions, including via the recent establishment of an EU fund to support AMIS. (2) On the African side, a commitment to activate efforts towards the establishment of the Africa Standby Force (ASF) and to further enhance coordination and lines of responsibility between the AU and Sub-Regional organisations; increase the capacity in the planning and the conduct of Peace Support Operations, and ensure the early operationalisation of the Continental Early Warning System and the Panel of the Wise.

Both sides referred to the need for EU to continue to provide support in the field of training and exercises of the African Standby Force. The AU welcomed the proposals by the EU in this field, including the development of RECAMP into a European instrument, in order to support, inter alia, the full establishment of the ASF and national programmes that might be offered by EU Member States.

b. Discussion on crisis/country situations

Sudan: Situation in Darfur

Ministers welcomed the outcome of the AU-UN-Government of Sudan (GoS) consultations on the Heavy Support Package for the African Mission in Sudan (AMIS) and stressed the need to proceed expeditiously with its implementation. They looked forward to constructive AU-UN-GoS consultations regarding the implementation of the AU/UN Hybrid Operation. In this context they also welcomed the appointment of Mr. Rodolphe Adada, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Congo, as joint AU-UN Special Representative for Darfur.

Ministers gave their full support to the AU/UN efforts led by AU Special Envoy Salim Ahmed Salim and UN Special Representative Jan Eliasson to launch an inclusive political process leading to sustainable peace in Darfur and called on the parties to the Darfur Peace Agreement (DPA) and the non-signatory movements to enter into negotiations constructively and without delay. Ministers commended the Tripoli Consensus of 28 April 2007, which underpins the modalities for achieving durable peace in the region.

Ministers strongly condemned the killing of the AMIS personnel in Darfur and any attacks against AMIS, and underlined the vital importance of continuing support to the mission until the transition to the AU-UN Hybrid operation is accomplished.

The AU expressed its appreciation for EU support for AMIS, including the replenishment of the African Peace Facility (APF) and additional bilateral contributions to the financing of AMIS.

Ministers expressed their deep concern about the continuing conflict and the appalling human rights and humanitarian situation in Darfur. They condemned the ceasefire violations by all parties, and in particular the violence directed at civilians, and urged in the strongest terms all actors to halt the violence, to protect civilians and to ensure safe and unhindered delivery of humanitarian assistance.

Somalia

Ministers deplored the recent fighting in Mogadishu, which has caused the loss of many lives and tremendous suffering in the civilian population. They urged all parties to commit themselves to a lasting cessation of hostilities to avoid further bloodshed and to guarantee unhindered access for humanitarian relief work.

Ministers reiterated the urgent need for a genuine political process. In this regard, they urged the Transitional Federal Government (TFG) to launch an inclusive political dialogue based on the Transitional Federal Charter. They called on the TFG to ensure that the National Reconciliation Congress is convened as soon as possible and is truly representative of all the parties and stakeholders in Somalia. Ministers urged all Somali stakeholders to support the Congress and to participate in it constructively.

The EU reiterated its support for the AU Mission in Somalia (AMISOM). Ministers emphasised the importance of full and effective deployment of AMISOM, welcomed deployments made so far and called on potential troop contributing countries to deploy as soon as possible. The AU expressed its appreciation of the EU's financial contribution to AMISOM and appeals for further support to enable the full deployment and sustenance of AMISOM.

Great Lakes Region

With the successful conclusion of the transition process in the DRC, prospects for the future of the Great Lakes Region have become brighter. Both the AU and the EU are committed to continue their active cooperation with the new Congolese authorities in consolidating peace and democracy, allowing for addressing the urgent challenges of improving the governance system, including the respect of human rights, and of undertaking reconstruction and sustainable development. Deploring the violence that occurred in Kinshasa in March 2007, Ministers called upon the government and the opposition to cooperate to achieve lasting peace in the DRC. They emphasised the importance of Security Sector Reform (SSR) and urged all armed groups to integrate into the national army or be demobilised. The EU reiterated its engagement to continued support in the field of SSR, based on an early agreement with the Government on priorities and coordination. Both sides welcomed the extension of the mandate of MONUC.

On Burundi, Ministers welcomed progress made towards the enhancement of political stability. The EU expressed appreciation for the AU's efforts towards the consolidation of peace, including South Africa's facilitation of the process. In line with the efforts by the UN Peace Building Commission (PBC), Ministers called for broad international support.

Ministers recognised the need for the region to work together in order to achieve lasting stability and development. In this respect, they welcomed the countries working together in the framework of the Tripartite Plus Joint Commission, the Communauté Economique des Pays des Grands Lacs (CEPGL) and the Peace, Security, Stability and Development Pact for the Great Lakes Region.

Côte d'Ivoire

Ministers welcomed the signing of the political agreement of 4 March 2007 in Ouagadougou between the President of the Republic of Côte d'Ivoire and the Secretary-General of the Forces Nouvelles. They commended the personal engagement of Burkina Faso's President H.E. Blaise Compaoré in his role as facilitator.

They called upon all parties to respect the agreed timetable for its implementation. In this respect, both parties welcomed the formation of a transitional government and the establishment of an integrated army command centre and looked forward to the early start of the electoral process. In order to bring the crisis in the country to an end, both parties reiterated the need for the effective identification of populations and for the disarmament of armed groups, to create conditions conducive for the holding of free, fair and transparent elections. The meeting also expressed concern about increasing violence in the West of the country and called for the consolidation of peace in the entire country. In this context, Ministers called on the international community to maintain its presence in and support for Côte d'Ivoire.

Both parties commended the UN and the International Working Group for their continued contribution to stability and progress in Cote d'Ivoire. Ministers called for the appropriate participation of the international community and in particular the UN, AU and ECOWAS in the follow-up and monitoring of the implementation of the Ouagadougou Agreement.

3) GOVERNANCE AND HUMAN RIGHTS

a) AU governance agenda (AU charter)/APRM/EU Governance initiative

Ministers reiterated that promoting democratic governance is an essential bases for the cooperation between Africa and the EU. They emphasized that democratic governance is an integral part of the EU's and Africa's common challenges at global level as well as for their envisaged political and people-centred partnership which will lie at the very heart of the Joint EU-Africa Strategy.

Ministers insisted that respecting and promoting human rights and fundamental freedoms, consolidating efficient, responsive, transparent and democratic institutions, as well as empowering non-state actors, are of fundamental importance for peace, security, sustainable development and regional and continental integration in both Africa and the EU. They underlined their commitment to continue supporting governance reform efforts at all levels. Respect for ownership, dialogue between partners and focus on incentives for reforms were recognised as the main principles of an EU-Africa common approach. Ministers also committed to apply the Paris Declaration on Aid Effectiveness to their shared vision on governance.

Recalling that the African Peer Review Mechanism (APRM) has emerged as a genuine African self-monitoring mechanism on political, economic and corporate governance standards, Ministers encouraged the widest participation in the process. They will continue supporting the review processes, facilitated by the APRM Secretariat, as well as the implementation of reforms decided by African countries.

Commending the APRM initiative, the EU will continue to provide support for the process. Through its Governance Initiative, the EU will also provide additional financial support to African countries that decide to engage in the path of reforms. In view of the Governance Initiative's potential to support African-owned governance reform strategies, Ministers look forward to being informed on the Governance Initiative review process and encourage regular AU/EU mutual information and intensified cooperation on the full range of governance issues.

b) Human rights dialogue at expert level

With reference to the 6th EU-Africa Ministerial Troika meeting, and confirmed at the subsequent 7th meeting, the parties agreed to hold, at the earliest possible date, a first EU-AU Human Rights experts' meeting, which will be an opportunity to discuss how to implement joint commitments in this field and how to increase EU-AU coordination on such matters in international fora, including the UN Human Rights Council.

The establishment of this dialogue will also allow to discuss ways in which the EU can support African-owned human rights and democracy-building efforts on the basis of inter alia the African Charter on Democracy, Governance and Elections, and initiatives such as the EU-Africa Plan of Action on the Trafficking of Human Beings.

c) Cultural Goods

Ministers reiterated commitments made at previous EU-Africa Ministerial Troika meetings and looked forward to a new momentum on this issue in the context of the elaboration of the Joint EU-Africa Strategy.

Ministers tasked experts from both sides to meet and to discuss how to facilitate the implementation of the decisions and commitments made on the issue of cultural goods in the framework of the EU-Africa dialogue, including on their legal aspects, and to present respective recommendations to the next Ministerial Troika meeting.

4) REGIONAL INTEGRATION AND TRADE

a) Economic Partnership Agreements (EPAs)

Both parties welcomed the fresh political impetus given to the EPA negotiations by the regional ministerial meetings earlier this year with the purpose of arriving at a mutually satisfactory conclusion within the agreed timeframe.

They confirmed the fundamental objectives of the Economic Partnership Agreements which are to fight against poverty, promote sustainable development in the ACP countries and increase their participation in the global economy.

The AU side recalled the Summit declaration of the Heads of State and Governement of the AU which called on the EU to extend the dead line for the completion of negotiations beyond the December 2007 timeframe.

Ministers reiterated their strong interest in the development dimension of trade policies and negotiations, the need to support regional integration processes and the importance of access to the EU markets for products of export interest to African countries.

In efforts to deepen African regional economic integration and the promotion of intra- African trade, both parties agreed to cooperate on infrastructure development, in particular local and cross-border initiatives, and to inject a new impetus in measures to address supply side constraints.

b) WTO/Doha Development Agenda (DDA)

Both parties agreed to continue their collective efforts to advance the Doha Development Agenda within the WTO framework and to further cooperate on matters of common interest.

5) KEY DEVELOPMENT ISSUES

a) Migration

Ministers welcomed the outcome of the Africa-EU Conference on Migration and Development, held in Tripoli on 22 and 23 November 2006. They reported on progress made and reaffirmed their commitment to continue implementing the broad agenda of measures agreed in the final joint Declaration of this conference which constitute the political framework of the Africa-EU partnership in this matter. Ministers called on the AU and European Commissions to develop an implementation roadmap for the joint Declaration, to be adopted at their next Troika meeting.

Ministers also noted the Declaration adopted by the Euro-African Ministerial conference held in Rabat on 10-11 July 2006.

Furthermore, Ministers highlighted the importance of facilitating remittances by migrants to their countries of origin and called upon the EU to put in place the appropriate frameworks as well as to facilitate the lowering of the cost of such remittances.

b) Energy and Infrastructure

Ministers noted with appreciation that progress has been made in the dialogue on the comprehensive Africa-EU Energy Partnership called for in the Brazzaville Communiqué from October 2006, in particular at the Africa-Europe Energy Forum held in Berlin 6-7 March 2007. The EU informed about the Conclusions on Energy Cooperation between Africa and Europe adopted by the EU General Affairs and External Relations Council on the 14 May 2007. Ministers welcomed the commitments of the EU towards the Energy Partnership, and its integration of the further dialogue into the Joint EU-Africa Strategy, building on the overall framework of the EU-Africa Infrastructure Partnership.

The EC and the AUC informed the meeting about the launch in September 2007 of the EU-Africa Infrastructure Partnership and Steering Committee to support AU/NEPAD-infrastructure Short Term Action Plan (i-STAP) and Medium to Long Term Strategic Framework (MLTSF) programmes in the sectors of transport, energy, water and sanitation and Information and Communication Technologies to facilitate interconnectivity and access to services at continental, regional and national levels in Africa.

c) Climate change

Ministers noted with concern the recent findings of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) which provide indisputable evidence that human-induced climate change is happening, and will lead to very negative effects particularly in developing regions, including the African continent.

The EU welcomes the discussion on climate change at the AU Summit of January 2007, and stands ready to support the African Union in addressing the climate change challenges. Climate change will be one of the main areas of cooperation under the Joint EU-Africa Strategy, and be discussed as a priority item at the forthcoming EU-Africa summit. "Climate change and development" will also be the theme of the second European Development Days, taking place in Lisbon 7-9 November 2007.

Ministers noted the tight timeframe for the negotiation of a post-2012 international agreement on climate protection, within the framework of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). Both sides recognised that a far-reaching, inclusive agreement will be needed to limit the negative effects of climate change.

d) Issues for further discussion

Ministers noted the need to further reflect and actively work on such important questions as ODA commitment and debt relief as well as the return of illegally acquired funds.

Ministers agreed to hold the 9th Ministerial Meeting of the African and EU Troikas in October 2007 in Accra, Ghana.


For the African side

- signed -



For the EU side

- signed -

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