Story by Ian Zvoma, News Editor
THE Pan African Parliament (PAP) has reaffirmed its commitment to fostering a mutually beneficial partnership between the African Union (AU) and the European Union (EU), in line with the aspirations of Africa’s Agenda 2063.
This comes as the continent prepares for the 25th anniversary of the AU-EU partnership, to be marked during the 7th AU-EU Summit scheduled for the end of this month in Luanda, Angola.
In that context, PAP, in collaboration with the European Parliament, convened a High-Level Parliamentary Dialogue in Midrand, South Africa on Friday.
The meeting provided an opportunity to review progress made over the past 25 years of AU-EU relations and to chart a roadmap for deepening cooperation going forward.
The last summit introduced a joint vision for 2030, backed by ambitious commitments, including an investment package of at least €150 billion, but there are lingering questions regarding equity, power imbalances, and the need for a people-centred approach.
“With this current arrangement of EU-Africa, we would like to make sure the benefits of the relationship flow in both directions,” PAP president, Chief Fortune Charumbira said.
“Africa is the last continent standing in terms of raw materials, in terms of resources which are required to make this world tick, and yet Africa gets a raw deal,” Deputy Senate president, Lieutenant General (Rtd) Mike Nyambuya said.
In a virtual address, Head of the EU Delegation to the AU, Ambassador Javier Nino Perez, underscored the need to translate high-level commitments into tangible benefits for Africa and its citizens.
“There is a very critical common understanding on what needs to be done and how we have to work together to promote stability and prosperity in Africa, in Europe, and in the World,” he said.
It emerged that these discussions are meant to strengthen the voice of non-state actors and their representatives, ensuring the parliamentary dimension of the AU-EU partnership serves as a democratic conduit for the people of Africa and Europe.
