{"id":22202,"date":"2025-05-22T21:58:06","date_gmt":"2025-05-22T17:58:06","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/gbc1.net\/?p=22202"},"modified":"2025-08-01T09:12:56","modified_gmt":"2025-08-01T05:12:56","slug":"key-takeaways-from-3rd-au-eu-ministerial-meeting-2025","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/gbc1.net\/index.php\/2025\/05\/22\/key-takeaways-from-3rd-au-eu-ministerial-meeting-2025\/","title":{"rendered":"Key Takeaways from 3rd AU-EU Ministerial Meeting 2025"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

The Ministers of Foreign Affairs of the African (AU) and European Union ((EU) convened the 3rd meeting in Brussels on 21 May 2025. They reviewed the progress on the Joint #Vision2030<\/a> adopted at the last AU-EU Summit (#AUEUS<\/a>) in 2022. This ministerial meeting is in preparation for the 7th AU-EU Summit (#AUEUS2025<\/a>) which is scheduled to take place in Africa by the end of this year. 2025 will mark the 25th anniversary of the Summit since the inaugural edition in Cairo in 2000.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Meeting was co-chaired by Tete Antonio, the Angolan Minister of External Relations and Chair of the AU Executive Council, and Kaja Kallas, High Representative of the EU for Foreign Affairs and VP of the European Commission. The newly elected Chair of the African Union Commission, Ali Youssouf and European Union Commission President Ursula von der Leyen were also in attendance.<\/p>\n\n\n

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In line with previous editions and based on shared commitments towards the UN #SDG<\/a>, AU #Agenda2063<\/a>, and EU priorities, the Parties are combining efforts to achieve mutual benefits for the people of Africa and Europe. In particular, both Parties agreed to include in the agenda of the upcoming 7th AU-EU Summit a review and follow-up mechanism on the progress made based on the Brussels Declaration adopted at the 6th AU-EU Summit in 2022.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Currently, the EU is driving its Global Gateway Initiative (#GGI<\/a>) which lays particular emphasis on Africa. As a matter of fact, 138 out of 264 GGI projects are in Africa and spans several themes, including #FoodSecurity<\/a>, #CleanEnergy<\/a>, #eMobility<\/a> and the #DigitalEconomy<\/a>. So far, the total value of projects under the #GlobalGateway<\/a> in Africa has reached nearly EUR 150 billion. The African side reiterated that the projects and programs must realize tangible benefits for both sides.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In the trade realm, the Generalized Scheme of Preferences (#GSP<\/a>) continues to contribute to grow trade between the two Parties. Team Europe supports the single market and economic integration driven by the African Continental Free Trade Area (#AfCFTA<\/a>). Both Parties noted that one in four persons in the world will be African by 2050, and thus Africa will enjoy a huge population and youth dividend.<\/p>\n\n\n

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Family Photo at 3rd AU-EU Ministerial Meeting 2025<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

Both Parties expressed concerns about the conflict in eastern DR Congo and other regions. The Ministers reiterated their support the AU-led mediation by Togolese President Faure Gnassingbe as well as other initiatives by Qatar and the USA. Moreover, both Parties believe that a peaceful and prosperous Africa will contribute to stem the tide of illegal migration. In that respect, the EU is supporting to ‘Silencing the Guns’ in Africa through the European Peace Facility (EPF) to the tune of EUR one billion.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Financing Gap remains a challenge for many African countries. The sovereign credit rating methodology is clearly not in favor of African countries giving rise to the high cost for countries to capital. The two Parties agreed to reinforce cooperation in Anti-Money Laundering and Countering of Terrorism (#AMLCFT<\/a>). To continue the discussion on Finance, all Parties look forward to the 4th International Conference on Financing for Development scheduled to take place in Seville from 30 June to 3 July 2025.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Another key area of cooperation in the field of energy, with an emphasis on enhancing #ElectricityAccess<\/a> and accelerating the #EnergyTransition<\/a> Some of the related initiatives are as follows:<\/p>\n\n\n\n