URU, Alm.del - 2019-20 - Bilag 137: EU-Kommissionens udkast til ny Afrika-strategi

Udenrigsudvalget 2019-20
URU Alm.del Bilag 137
Offentligt

EUROPEAN

COMMISSION

HIGH REPRESENTATIVE

OF THE UNION FOR

FOREIGN AFFAIRS AND

SECURITY POLICY

Brussels, 9.3.2020

JOIN(2020) 4 final

JOINT COMMUNICATION TO THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND THE

COUNCIL

Towards a comprehensive Strategy with Africa

URU, Alm.del - 2019-20 - Bilag 137: EU-Kommissionens udkast til ny Afrika-strategi

Towards a comprehensive strategy with Africa

Africa is Europe’s closest neighbour. The ties that bind Africa and the European Union (EU)

are broad and deep as a result of history, proximity and shared interests. With the 6

Summit

between the African Union (AU) and the EU and the conclusion of the negotiations of the

new partnership agreement between the EU and the African, Caribbean and Pacific Group of

States, 2020 will be a pivotal year in living up to our ambition of an even stronger

partnership.

In Africa, new prospects and challenges are emerging from economic,

political, social, technological, demographic, climate and environmental changes.

need to partner with Africa, our twin continent, to tackle together the challenges of the 21

century and to further our common interests and future.

Africa, in all its diversity, is home to over 1 billion people. It boasts the youngest, fastest-

growing middle-class in the world.

Africa’s young people have the potential to transform

their continent’s political, economic and social prospects, but for this they need decent jobs, a

place in society, access to social services, energy and infrastructure, and an active role in

determining their countries’ future. In particular, African women are key drivers of

sustainable growth, development and peace. Responding to their aspirations will determine

the future of the continent.

Africa has been recording steady economic growth.

In 2018, six of the ten fastest growing

economies in the world were African. Thirty African States are middle-income or high-

income countries. The continent’s economic expansion has the potential to accelerate and

drive broader social and human development with new opportunities arising from the digital

transformation, the demographic dividend, low-cost renewable energy, the green transition

and a low-carbon, blue and circular economy. This reflects the vision of the African leaders

transformative initiatives, including the African Union’s Agenda 2063, the African

Continental Free Trade Area, the African Visa-free Area, a Single African Digital Market and

the Single African Air Transport Market.

At the same time, a number of challenges remain.

Thirty-six

of the world’s most fragile

countries are in Africa, often weakened by conflicts. The continent hosts 390 million people

living below the poverty line. Growth has not always been inclusive, notably due to

governance challenges. Africa, as the rest of the world, is also affected by the consequences

of climate change, environmental degradation and pollution. The EU and Africa can work

together to seize the opportunities and address these challenges and develop actions that

ensure stability, peace, security, human rights, democracy, gender equality, sustainable

livelihoods, sustainable economic growth based on healthy ecosystems, social cohesion and

good governance.

To benefit both continents,

our partnership should be based on a clear understanding of

our respective and mutual interests and responsibilities, reflecting the

comprehensiveness and maturity of our relationship.

These interests include: developing a

green growth model; improving the business environment and investment climate; boosting

education, research and innovation, the creation of decent jobs and value addition through

sustainable investments; maximising the benefits of regional economic integration and trade;

ensuring food security and rural development; combatting climate change; ensuring access to

sustainable energy and protecting biodiversity and natural resources; promoting peace and

security; ensuring well-governed migration and mobility; engaging together on the global

scene to strengthen the multilateral rules-based order, promoting universal values, human

rights, democracy, rule of law and gender equality.

URU, Alm.del - 2019-20 - Bilag 137: EU-Kommissionens udkast til ny Afrika-strategi

Positive developments in one of these areas depend on progress in other areas. Such progress

can only be achieved by working together on the basis of shared global commitments, such as

the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the Paris Agreement on Climate Change

and Agenda 2063.

Africa’s potential attracts increased interest from many players on the world scene.

This

is a welcome development,

as it increases Africa’s options and creates room for synergies. It

also means that Europe, with the EU and its Member States working together in unison, must

adapt the way it engages with Africa, ensuring its positioning is in line with our mutual

interests, and giving more prominence to values, key principles, and good regulatory

practices. The EU and its Member States are Africa’s biggest partner on all accounts, be it in

terms of investment, trade, official development assistance, or security. This reliable, long-

term, multi-faceted partnership should now also translate into a strong political alliance.

Stronger political, economic and cultural ties between Europe and Africa are crucial in a

multipolar world where collective action is sorely needed. Enhanced cooperation on global

and multilateral affairs will be at the heart of our common action.

To strengthen the EU’s strategic alliance with Africa, the European Commission and the

High Representative of the Union are proposing to engage discussions with African partners

in view of jointly defining at the upcoming EU-AU Summit a new comprehensive EU

strategy with Africa that could be built on five partnerships:

A partnership for green transition and energy access;

A partnership for digital transformation;

A partnership for sustainable growth and jobs;

A partnership for peace and governance;

and

A partnership on migration and mobility.

This new strategy and these partnerships are in line with the common priorities set by the EU

and the African Union at the 2017 Summit in Abidjan. It takes inspiration notably from the

very fruitful discussions between the European Commission and the African Union

Commission, which took place in Addis Ababa on 27 February 2020 and reflects the EU’s

proposals for the ongoing exchanges with African partners in view of

defining a joint

partnership

agenda at the upcoming EU-AU Summit in October 2020. EU-Africa

engagement will continue at bilateral, regional and continental level.

Partners for green transition and energy access

The fight against climate change and environmental degradation is this generation’s defining

task. Therefore Europe and Africa are allies in the development of sustainable energy,

transport solutions, farming, circular and blue economies which

can underpin Africa’s

economic growth. To achieve the Sustainable Development Goals, the EU and Africa alike

need to opt for a

low-carbon, resource efficient and climate-resilient future

in line with

the Paris Agreement. African countries are particularly vulnerable to climate change as it

risks jeopardising ongoing progress on sustainable development.

We must work towards healthy ecosystems, limiting and halting global warming, reducing

vulnerabilities and enhancing opportunities for people and ecosystems to adapt. This requires

URU, Alm.del - 2019-20 - Bilag 137: EU-Kommissionens udkast til ny Afrika-strategi

stepping up efforts on climate change mitigation and resilience as well as taking adequate

adaptation measures in a socially sustainable way.

Innovation is key

to drive green transition. Investments should therefore be geared towards

strengthening scientific capacities in Africa by providing access and local adaptation to

technologies. This will enable African countries to pursue a low-carbon, climate resilient and

green growth trajectory, that avoids inefficient technologies and resists new investment in

coal power generation, deploying instead new renewable energy sources and hydrogen

production. Trade should also facilitate the adoption of innovative, sustainable business

models and play a leading role to shape a climate-neutral future.

Africa is home to vast

natural capital,

unique

biodiversity and ecosystems such as forests.

This offers significant opportunities for social and economic development and can contribute

to lasting nature-based solutions to climate change mitigation and adaptation. At the same

time, there is a risk of overexploitation and depletion in addition to the threats posed by

unsustainable fishing and management of water resources, pollution, desertification, and, in

the case of coastal areas, rising sea levels.

A clean

circular economy

with sustainable and fair

value chains

will be key for the

transition to a sustainable economic model. This means that the value of products, materials

and resources are maintained in the economy for as long as possible. It also implies that

waste is minimised, while natural resources, wastewater and sanitation are managed in a

sustainable way. This requires enhanced cooperation between the EU and Africa on a

responsible raw materials sector, secure and clean industrial value chains, respecting

ambitious environmental and climate standards.

African cities have a key role to play in the green transition; the EU should support the

development of green and

smart urbanisation

models and businesses in Africa, thereby

tackling pollution.

To address the needs of its growing population and economy, Africa needs to double its

energy supply by 2040 while ensuring access to electricity for 600 million people. This

means putting the focus on resilient infrastructure, cleaner, more sustainable and secure

energy access, maximising renewable energy sources, energy transition and efficiency across

all value chains, as well as regional integration for energy security. The EU should build with

Africa a strong partnership on sustainable energy for both rural and urban populations.

The EU and Africa must join efforts to reach the Sustainable Development Goal of zero

hunger and address the challenges of nutrition and food security by

boosting safe and

sustainable agri-food systems.

A partnership on agriculture would support the development

of environment-friendly agricultural practices, promote local production and integrate

biodiversity concerns. This includes setting sanitary and phytosanitary standards and the

protection of natural resources. Trade between the EU and Africa plays an instrumental role

supporting opportunities for sustainable food systems.

At the same time, agricultural food production, processing and distribution provides the bulk

of direct employment and income in Africa particularly in rural areas contributing thus to a

balanced territorial development. It has the potential to provide employment for a significant

URU, Alm.del - 2019-20 - Bilag 137: EU-Kommissionens udkast til ny Afrika-strategi

part of the 800 million African people that are estimated to enter the workforce within the

next 30 years.

Proposed Action 1

–

Partner with Africa to maximise the benefits of the green transition

and minimise threats to the environment in full compliance with the Paris Agreement.

To do this, it is proposed that the EU supports the implementation of Nationally Determined

Contributions, help devise ambitious long-term strategies for reducing emissions and

contribute to the development of national adaptation plans.

By supporting integrated national financing frameworks, the EU continues working with

countries in their efforts to mobilise and align a wide range of financing sources with their

sustainable development priorities. The EU should partner with Africa on green finance, on

sustainable energy and energy efficiency through the launch of a

‘Green Energy’ initiative,

building on the recommendations of the High Level Platform for Sustainable Energy

Investments in Africa. The EU and Africa should also share experiences in managing a

socially just transition away from fossil fuels.

In partnership with Africa, the EU should encourage better ocean governance, including the

development of a sustainable fisheries and blue economy. The EU is ready to scale up the

fight against illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing to address the environmental threat it

poses to the sustainability of fish stocks, the profits of fishermen and coastal communities

who follow the rules.

Finally, the EU and Africa should take joint action to protect and reduce pressure on forests,

water and marine ecosystems while enhancing their management by tackling illegal

harvesting and combating environmental crime, thereby tackling the drivers of biodiversity

loss. This can be done inter alia by launching a ‘NaturAfrica’ initiative.

II.

Partners for digital transformation

Access to safe and affordable digital services needs to be ensured for all through

investment

in infrastructure and reliable sources of electricity. Establishing a

regulatory environment

for competitive and harmonised regional connectivity markets is also key. Unfolding the

potential benefits of digitalisation requires a robust regulatory framework, in areas such as

data and consumer protection, digital financial services, cybercrime and e-governance.

Specific

policies

are needed to ensure full digital inclusion and digital equality for women

and marginalised communities.

It is estimated that a 10% increase in digital coverage could result in an increase of over 1%

in African GDP. Through adequate reforms and investments to support the African

aspirations to build a single African digital market, and building on a new digital

transformation strategy, Africa can harness digitalisation as a

driver for growth across all

sectors

of the economy. Digital infrastructures and support for digital entrepreneurship and

UNDESA world population prospects 2017.

This proposed action is in line with Sustainable Development Goals 2 (zero hunger), 6 (clean water), 7

(affordable and clean energy), 8 (decent work and economic growth), 9 (industry, innovation and infrastructure),

11 (sustainable cities and communities), 12 (responsible consumption and production), 13 (climate action), 14

(life below water), and 15 (life on land).

URU, Alm.del - 2019-20 - Bilag 137: EU-Kommissionens udkast til ny Afrika-strategi

innovation have the potential to provide much-needed jobs for the 15 to 20 million young

people who are entering the workforce every year.

Digital transformation can also modernise traditional sectors such as agriculture; improve

access to quality services; increase public revenue; and make the public sector more

transparent and accountable, thereby enhancing public trust in governments. It can also

transform the

delivery of public services,

including education, training, energy and

healthcare, including improving access to health services in remote areas and by facilitating

diagnostics and treatments.

E-governance

will protect consumers and privacy and support

the fight against corruption.

E-commerce and digital financial services

have the potential to

boost Africa’s economic integration by improving access to goods and services across the

continent. Digital services can also increase access to transaction accounts and digital finance

solutions for banking, insurance or payment services, including remittances.

The acceleration of the

digitalisation of public administration

is a necessary pre-condition

to create value for citizens and businesses across Europe and Africa and an essential element

to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals. To this end, strengthened cooperation in the

implementation of interoperable digital solutions would be useful to address digital skills

gaps, promote the use of open data, strengthen cybersecurity and harness new technologies

such as artificial intelligence, blockchain and big data In that regard, capacity building in the

public sector is important to support the broader digital transformation agenda.

Digitalisation must be accompanied by

strong measures to ensure security,

resilience and

deterrence against cybercrime, including international cooperation within established legal

frameworks. The EU and Africa should deepen their collaboration in this regard, including to

prevent the exploitation of the Internet for terrorism and violent extremism.

Appropriate legislation and operational capacity will be necessary to achieve progress in

these areas and curb online threats to democracy and human rights. With respect to

addressing disinformation, the EU has developed useful instruments and will continue to

work closely with its African partners to find common approaches and share best practices.

The digital economy calls for better digital skills and literacy and generates high demand for

a qualified, local workforce in all sectors that can benefit from the digital transformation.

Quality learning and vocational training opportunities

delivered by public and private

institutions must be further developed.

The use of

space data and technology

contributes to smart and safe transport, green cities,

sustainable management of natural resources and efficient agriculture. The open and free data

provided by the EU Space programmes can boost a nascent African space private sector,

enabling start-ups and small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to develop local

innovative solutions and services. The Earth observation monitoring of natural resources, of

land use, of inland water resources, and of marine and coastal ecosystems can underpin

policy and decision-making in Africa.

Proposed Action 2

– Partner with Africa to boost the continent’s digital

transformation.

This proposed action is in line with Sustainable Development Goals 4 (quality education), 5 (gender equality),

and 9 (industry, innovation and infrastructure).

URU, Alm.del - 2019-20 - Bilag 137: EU-Kommissionens udkast til ny Afrika-strategi

This requires focus on regulatory convergence, including strengthening personal data

protection, investment in key enabling sustainable infrastructure, the digitalisation of public

administrations for the provision of e-services, greater education and training opportunities as

well as increasing secure data flows. The EU should also pursue its cooperation with Africa

on artificial intelligence, which should be responsibly developed and used.

III.

Partners for sustainable growth and jobs

The close ties and geographic proximity between the EU and Africa make them natural allies

in bringing about inclusive and sustainable economic growth on both continents. Economic

opportunities and decent job creation in Africa and the EU could be substantially enhanced

through joint action on four priority fronts:

(a) boosting trade and sustainable investments in Africa;

(b) improving the investment climate and business environment;

social rights;

(d) advancing regional and continental economic integration.

The European Green Deal

, is both the EU’s new growth strategy and a plan to make Europe

the world’s first climate-neutral

continent by 2050. With its huge renewable energy and

biodiversity potential, Africa is extremely well placed to develop and implement sustainable

solutions as its economy grows.

Building on the initial successes of the Africa-Europe Alliance on Sustainable Investment and

Jobs and on the work by the joint task forces on digital economy, energy, transport and rural

Africa, the EU proposes to turn the Alliance

into the central pillar of economic relations

between the two continents.

Sustainable investments

Public and private investments are crucial to

stimulating entrepreneurship and sustainable economic

diversification.

The focus should be: core quality

infrastructure that is climate-resilient; access to finance;

better data to help identify the most efficient and effective

deployment of new sustainable energy sources; the

development of a value-adding private sector with high

potential for economic growth and the creation of decent

jobs. With a foreign direct investment stock reaching

EUR 222 billion,

the EU is the largest investor in Africa,

well ahead of the United States

(EUR 42 billion) or China (EUR 38 billion)

. Under the umbrella of the Africa-Europe

Communication from the Commission to the European Parliament, the European Council, the Council, the

European Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions, The European Green Deal,

11 December 2019, COM(2019)640 final.

Communication from the Commission to the European Parliament, the European Council and the Council on a

new Africa-Europe Alliance for Sustainable Investment and Jobs: Taking our partnership for investment and

jobs to the next level, 12 September 2018, COM(2018)643 final.

United Nations Conference on Trade and Development, World Investment Report 2018, 2016 figures.

URU, Alm.del - 2019-20 - Bilag 137: EU-Kommissionens udkast til ny Afrika-strategi

Alliance for Sustainable Investment and Jobs, EU instruments, such as the External Lending

Mandate, the African, Caribbean and Pacific Investment Facility and, more recently, the

European External Investment Plan, have unlocked considerable investments in Africa.

These include investments in transport, clean energy and agricultural sectors and in private

sector development. Africa and the EU need to continue working together to further

accelerate such sustainable investments.

In accordance with the Commission’s proposal for a Neighbourhood, Development and

International Cooperation Instrument (NDICI)

, the EU should be able to make

full use of

various

EU financial instruments,

such as budgetary guarantees and blending under the

European Fund for Sustainable Development, which should be rolled-out as of 2021. Under

the proposed NDICI, the External Action Guarantee could provide up to EUR 60 billion in

guarantee operations to stimulate sustainable investments over the period 2021-2027,

focusing primarily on Africa.

These operations should be deployed in

coordinated action with European development

finance institutions.

Together, these institutions have the biggest presence and focus on Sub-

Saharan Africa with a combined portfolio accounting for a third of all development finance

institution activity and representing three quarters of the most risk absorbing capital. A more

joined-up approach between EU financial instruments and European development finance

institutions will increase the mobilisation of private investors and domestic resources,

accelerate the shift towards more responsible and climate neutral investments, and spur the

development of the private sector in Africa.

Regional and continental economic integration

Moving economic integration forward at regional and

continental levels

is an essential component of a coherent,

sustainable economic strategy.

We welcome the African Continental Free Trade

Agreement in force since May 2019 - which creates

significant momentum for continental integration - and the

ultimate ambition of a continental single market. It will

increase intra-African trade, including with countries in

North Africa, diversify exports, and improve product

quality and safety.

Building reliable and sustainable continental energy, transport and digital systems for people,

businesses and industries will support the development of value chains that can contribute to

an African Continental Free Trade Area. The EU and the African Union have a common

interest in a stable, rules-based multilateral trading system centred on the World Trade

Organisation (WTO).

Commission proposal for a Regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council establishing the

Neighbourhood, Development and International Cooperation Instrument, 14 June 2018, COM(2018)460 final.

URU, Alm.del - 2019-20 - Bilag 137: EU-Kommissionens udkast til ny Afrika-strategi

Proposed Action 3

–

Partner with Africa to substantially increase environmentally,

socially and financially sustainable investments that are resilient to the impacts of

climate change; to promote investment opportunities by scaling up the use of innovative

financing mechanisms

; and to boost regional and continental economic integration,

particularly through the African Continental Free Trade Agreement.

The latter will be done by making political, technical and financial support for the African

Continental Free Trade Agreement (for which EU support already grew from EUR 12.5

million in 2014-2017 to EUR 60 million in 2018-2020) a top priority. We are ready to share

our customs union and single market experience. Cooperation on the strategic corridors that

facilitate intra-African and Africa-Europe trade and investment, and improve sustainable,

efficient, and safe connectivity between both continents, will also be enhanced by the long-

term prospect of creating a comprehensive continent-to-continent free-trade area. EU

business associations can play an important role in the Business Forum organised in the

margins of the upcoming AU-EU Summit. Cooperation and dialogue, business partnerships

along critical value chains, as well as the deepening of Economic Partnership Agreements,

and other EU trade agreements with African partner countries, are the tools through which

this can be achieved.

**The Agreement in the form of an Exchange of Letters between the European Union and the Kingdom of Morocco on the amendment of Protocols 1 and 4 to

the Euro-Mediterranean Association Agreement, which entered into force on 19 July 2019, provides for the extension of tariff preferences to products

originating in the non-self-governing territory of Western Sahara.

This proposed action is in line with Sustainable Development Goals 1 (no poverty), 2 (zero hunger), 7

(affordable and clean energy), 8 (decent work and economic growth), and 9 (industry, innovation and

infrastructure).

This proposed action is in line with Sustainable Development Goal 8 (decent work and economic growth).

URU, Alm.del - 2019-20 - Bilag 137: EU-Kommissionens udkast til ny Afrika-strategi

Business environment and investment climate

Boosting private sector investment is crucial to speeding up sustainable economic growth and

the creation of decent jobs. Increasing investor confidence in Africa will crucially depend on

improved security, effective, transparent and stable regulatory frameworks, combined with

investment facilitation and protection, macro-economic stability, robust financial systems,

access to credit, innovation and necessary data to underpin the green transition.

Policy reform is also essential in key areas such as: governance; rule of law; the judicial

system; public financial management, (including quality and effectiveness of public

expenditure); debt management; transparent public procurement; competition; standards and

trade facilitation; investment frameworks and green growth taxation. This also includes the

fight against corruption, fraud, illicit financial flows, money laundering and terrorism

financing.

Proposed Action 4

–

Partner with Africa to attract investors by supporting African

states in adopting policies and regulatory reforms that improve the business

environment and investment climate, including a level-playing field for business.

With this in mind, it is proposed that the EU develops more ambitious arrangements to

facilitate, attract and support investment in Africa. The EU should further develop the use of

platforms such as the Sustainable Business for Africa Platform and the International Platform

on Sustainable Finance. In parallel, it is important to promote regulatory reforms and to

strengthen the institutional capacity of public authorities, business organisations and

entrepreneurs, including social entrepreneurs, while reinforcing capacity-building related to

SME access to markets and finance. In this respect, European business organisations should

continue to support entrepreneurship in Africa.

The EU should also encourage regulatory dialogue with public administrations to exchange

good practices. Budget support dialogues should continue to be a key instrument in

promoting reforms. Finally, trade agreements and investment provisions to attract, facilitate

and support sustainable investment will also contribute to improving the business climate.

Education, skills, research, innovation, health and social rights

Investing in people, in particular in youth, is of paramount importance for building an even

stronger partnership between our two continents. Within the next 15 years, some 375 million

young people are expected to reach working age in Africa.

Currently less than 10% of African 18-24 year olds are enrolled in some form of post-

secondary education or training. Providing young people with education, training and skills

and preparing them for the new opportunities of the future labour market is a common

strategic priority. In order for young women and men to fully reap economic opportunities,

they will need greater access to inclusive and equitable quality education, including higher

education, learning and training opportunities. This requires that

special attention be paid to

girls and women.

Supporting women’s

empowerment requires tackling discriminatory

regulations and practices and making sure that they have access to knowledge, skills,

microcredit and finance for entrepreneurship.

This proposed action is in line with Sustainable Development Goals 1 (no poverty), 9 (industry, innovation

and infrastructure) and16 (peace, justice and strong institutions).

URU, Alm.del - 2019-20 - Bilag 137: EU-Kommissionens udkast til ny Afrika-strategi

To increase graduates’ employability and their sense of entrepreneurship,

education systems

need to better align skills and learning outcomes to labour market demand and new emerging

sectors, in particular in the digital sector and green and climate-friendly technologies.

Incentivising collaboration between academia, research and local business and supporting

innovative learning approaches will also be fundamental. Stepping up cooperation in the

cultural sector also holds great potential for job creation and closer people-to-people contacts.

Decent work

opportunities will be key to providing prospects to rapidly growing African

youth. This goes hand in hand with a healthy workforce, environment and decent working

conditions. In particular, this requires health and safety at work, inclusive social protection

systems, universal health coverage, access to quality health services, including family

planning, and fighting against inequality and, discrimination,

child labour

(especially in the

agricultural sector) and forced labour. It also requires transitioning from the informal into the

formal economy. In this respect, effective

social dialogue

with public authorities, workers’

and employers’ organisations will improve both the social and business climate.

The EU and Africa also have a common interest in promoting investments in basic

health

care,

clean water, housing and in developing infrastructure and capacity to cope with

outbreaks of diseases.

Proposed Action 5

––

Partner with Africa to rapidly enhance learning, knowledge and

skills, research and innovation capacities, particularly for women and youth, protecting

and improving social rights, and eradicating child labour.

It is proposed that the EU scales up EU-Africa academic and scientific cooperation,

including on technical and vocational education and training, and enhancing skills

development

(also in association with EU businesses) with a view to creating a knowledge

society and economy. The EU should facilitate the mobility of students, teachers, trainers,

and researchers. The EU should also support capacity building within Africa; quality training

for teachers; the development of research and innovation capacities; harnessing the

interaction between education, science, technology and innovation for improved learning.

Besides, the EU should seek to engage in labour dialogues with African countries to protect

social rights, and, in particular, to eradicate child labour. The EU proposes to upgrade its

support to the strengthening of health systems.

IV.

Partners for peace, security, governance and resilience

Ensuring long-lasting peace

and security in Africa is as much in Africa’s interest as it is in

the EU’s. Peace and security are key conditions for sustainable development.

While the objective is to achieve peace and security throughout Africa, efforts should be

made in priority in regions where tensions are the highest. African states, supported by

regional and continental organisations, bear the main responsibility to act, as they are the

foremost guarantors of their own security. But the EU is willing to markedly step up its

support to Africa in cooperation with the international community. Resilience should in

particular be at the heart of African and EU efforts to address protracted conflict and fragility.

This proposed action is in line with Sustainable Development Goals 1 (no poverty), 3 (good health and

wellbeing), 4 (quality education), 5 (gender equality), 8 (decent work and economic growth) and 10 (Reduced

inequalities).

URU, Alm.del - 2019-20 - Bilag 137: EU-Kommissionens udkast til ny Afrika-strategi

Instability in Africa is no longer defined by inter-state conflict but by restricted state control

over territories and maritime domains, social cohesion, home-grown extremism, inter-

community conflicts, proliferation of armed groups, terrorism and transnational crime,

including cybercrime. Climate change, increased competition for natural resources,

environmental challenges, lack of basic social services, pandemics, and other health threats

are additional sources of instability.

Governments face the challenge of delivering on the political and economic expectations of a

growing youth population including on human rights whose neglect are exacerbating latent

community tensions.

a. Peace and security

While many good results have been achieved through the EU-Africa partnership on peace

and security

–

notably captured in the EU-AU Memorandum of Understanding on Peace,

Security and Governance

–

the complexity of the efforts and the deteriorating situation in

certain regions require us to markedly step up our engagement together. This means also

working with international partners, notably the United Nations. The AU-led

“Silencing the

Guns” initiative is important in this context.

EU instruments and African capacities should be further aligned. There is a clear need to

review and further strengthen our cooperation in a more strategic and tailored way, based on

mutual commitments, accountability and ownership. Despite progress on the AU Peace Fund,

the financing of African-led peace support initiatives, including through UN-assessed

contributions, remains to be addressed. The EU and Africa also need to adapt their way of

working together in fragile areas in order to have an impact on governance at the local level.

The EU’s current integrated approach mobilises the full range of its instruments including top

political diplomacy, regular consultations, mediation for conflict prevention and resolution,

restrictive measures, and cooperation on counter-terrorism, the fight against organised crime

including trafficking in human beings, and maritime security. Through the ‘African Peace

Facility’

, the EU supports African-led peace operations and the African Peace and Security

Architecture (APSA). At the operational level, Common Security and Defence Policy

(CSDP) missions as well as other security and defence deployments by EU Member States

make a tangible contribution to peace and security in the Sahel, the Horn of Africa, the Gulf

of Guinea, the Lake Chad Basin and the Central African Republic.

Proposed Action 6

– Partner with Africa to adapt and deepen the EU’s support to

African peace efforts through a more structured and strategic cooperation, with a

particular focus on regions where tensions and vulnerabilities are the highest.

In order to achieve our objectives, summits and high-level diplomacy will notably focus on

developing strategies and concrete steps to help solve crises in, for example, Libya, the Sahel,

the Great Lakes region, or the Horn of Africa. The EU proposes to support the efforts of its

African partners to address the full spectrum of challenges and increase their overall

resilience. The EU also proposes to support African capacity in defence and security, using

the proposed European Peace Facility, its CSDP missions and security and defence-related

tools to better address the challenges faced by African security and defence actors on the

For which the EU has committed EUR 3.5 billion since 2004.

This proposed action is in line with Sustainable Development Goal 16 (peace, justice and strong institutions).

URU, Alm.del - 2019-20 - Bilag 137: EU-Kommissionens udkast til ny Afrika-strategi

ground. The EU proposes to strengthen its ongoing efforts in ensuring compliance with

human rights, protection of civilians and international humanitarian law. Actions will be

carried out in close cooperation with EU Member States, the African Union, African regional

organisations, the UN and other key partners

–

including through trilateral AU-EU-UN

cooperation. Special attention will also be paid to the implementation of the Women, Peace

and Security Agenda and of the Youth, Peace and Security Agenda.

The EU should adapt and deepen its support to African peace efforts with a focus on an

integrated approach to conflict and crises, acting at all stages of the conflict cycle, investing

in prevention fight against radicalisation, resolution and stabilisation and better linking

humanitarian, development, peace and security efforts.

b. Governance, democracy, human rights and the rule of law

Security and development can only be sustainable in the long term when rooted in full

respect of human rights without discrimination on any ground

, democratic principles,

gender equality and the rule of law.

Recognising that all human rights are universal,

indivisible and interdependent and interrelated, the EU, and African countries are committed

to promoting and protecting all human rights and fundamental freedoms globally.

Good governance, effective and inclusive economic, social, education and health policies,

equal access to basic social services, equal access to and fair redistribution of resources, equal

access to justice and open and inclusive societies foster peace and stability and act as a

foundation for jobs and growth, attracting investment. The safeguard and protection of

children’s rights merits particular attention.

Proposed Action 7

–

Partner with Africa on integrating good governance, democracy,

human rights, the rule of law and gender equality in action and cooperation.

Respect for universal human rights

–

be they political, civil, economic, social or cultural -

will remain a key trait of our partnership with all relevant actors and supporting major

Including on grounds or sex, race, ethnic or social origin, religion or belief, political or any other opinion,

disability, age, sexual orientation and gender identity.

This proposed action is in line with Sustainable Development Goals 10 (inequalities), 15 (gender equality)

and 16 (peace, justice and strong institutions).

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initiatives such as the African Governance Architecture. A more strategic and structured

approach to human rights political dialogues with African countries will be adopted, in

complementarity with regular consultations with African regional organisations and the well-

established AU-EU Human Rights Dialogue.

The EU seeks to continue supporting credible, inclusive and transparent electoral and

democratic processes, including through increased coordination between the AU and EU on

electoral observations and their follow-up. The EU also intends to step up cooperation on

democratic governance and rule of law on both continents, including accountability and

transparency of public institutions; independent and impartial justice, corruption and

transnational crimes as well as trafficking in human beings.

The EU should support concrete initiatives to reinforce civil society organisations and human

rights defenders; to end impunity, ensure redress for victims, and foster reconciliation.

Initiatives will be undertaken for and with women and youth (including children), supporting

their economic empowerment, ensuring their active involvement in decision-making

processes of civic and political life, promoting sexual and reproductive health and rights, and

preventing and eliminating all forms of violence against women and girls, including conflict-

related sexual and gender-based violence.

Resilience

Resilience, peace, security and governance are intimately linked. Therefore EU should

partner with African stakeholders to enhance resilience, taking into account full spectrum of

challenges deriving from root causes of conflicts to impact of crises. It will be done by

deepening EU support to African peace efforts via integrated approach acting at all stages of

the cycle of conflicts and crises as they unfold. This entails prevention, resolution and

stabilisation efforts by well targeted humanitarian, development, peace and security actions in

accordance to their added value and respective mandates.

Proposed Action 8

–

secure resilience by linking humanitarian, development, peace and

security interventions at all stages of the cycle of conflicts and crises.

Partners on migration and mobility

Demographic trends, the aspiration for economic opportunity and political stability, flight

from crises and conflicts, and adaptation to climate change and environmental degradation,

all mean that the levels of

migration and forced displacement

will continue to pose both

challenges and opportunities

for our two continents.

Well-managed migration and mobility can have a positive impact on countries of origin,

transit and destination alike. African migration and mobility flows are largely intra-African

and regimes for free movement are being put in place at both regional and continental level.

Some African Union Member States host a substantial number of migrants, refugees and

forcibly displaced persons and thus face significant challenges and opportunities. Migration

also represent challenges and opportunities for EU Member States.

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Since 2015, the EU and African countries have developed a

joint approach

to managing

migration and mobility.

This approach has led to a reduction in irregular arrivals in Europe,

improved cooperation on the fight against migrant smuggling, and in developing more

sustainable approaches for refugees in hosting countries in Africa.

Yet significant challenges remain. Sub-Saharan Africa hosts more than a quarter of the

world’s refugee population. Dangerous journeys and attempts to cross the Mediterranean

continue to cause loss of life and to fuel criminal business. To address such challenges Africa

and the EU need a

balanced, coherent and comprehensive approach to migration and

mobility,

guided by the

principles of solidarity, partnership and shared responsibility

and based on the respect for human rights and international law. The joint goal for EU and

African partners should be sustainable and effective migration management.

Across all activities, the EU will continue to pay particular attention to respecting its core

values and in particular to taking into account the particular needs of persons in vulnerable

situations, including women, children, unaccompanied minors and persons with disabilities.

The protection of those in need, such as refugees, internally displaced persons and other

vulnerable displaced persons should remain a common priority. The EU remains committed

to helping African partners address refugee crises and find durable solutions for refugees in

hosting countries. The EU should equally continue efforts to resettle persons in need of

international protection to Europe.

Strengthened engagement to prevent irregular migration and putting an end to the loss of life

at sea is needed. This includes stepping up the fight against the smuggling of migrants, with

an emphasis on addressing the role of criminal networks and should go hand in hand with the

fight against trafficking in human beings. Capacity building for effective migration

management, including effective border management is particularly important, and the EU

should continue to support African partners in this area. Further action is also needed to

tackle the root causes of irregular migration and forced displacement building on the varied

support provided through the EU Trust Fund for Africa.

Cooperation on return and readmission, and effective return rates should be improved. The

EU and Africa should work towards more efficient and sustainable mechanisms, including

through support for voluntary returns, and through the effective implementation and

conclusion of readmission arrangements. Returns should be accompanied by sustainable

reintegration in the countries of origin.

In parallel, stepped up cooperation on legal migration can provide significant two-way

benefits, providing employment opportunities that match the needs of the labour market on

both continents. Projects on legal and circular migration and labour mobility with African

countries and efforts to improve the development benefits of migration, including through

facilitation of remittances, could significantly contribute to regular and safe migration and

mobility.

This includes the joint Valletta action plan, the Khartoum and Rabat processes, the EU partnership framework

on migration for bilateral relations with partner countries, the joint AU-EU-UN Trilateral Task Force on

Migration, or the commitment to develop a joint framework on continent-to-continent migration and mobility

dialogue.

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Proposed Action 9

–

Partner with Africa to ensure a balanced, coherent and

comprehensive approach to migration and mobility .

This will be done by embedding migration and mobility in a balanced manner in our overall

partnership at all levels.

We will pursue a ‘whole-of-route’ approach, working with countries

of origin, transit and destination. A strong focus on improving migration governance, partner

countries' ability to better manage their borders, strengthening capacities and evidence-based

cooperation will also be applied.

At continental level, the EU proposes to put in place a joint framework for the Continent-to-

Continent Migration and Mobility Dialogue and continue to enhance the AU-EU-UN

trilateral cooperation, building on the successful experience of the Task Force on Migration.

At regional level, the EU proposes to advance the implementation of the Joint Valletta Action

Plan and the Khartoum and Rabat processes together with the AU, the UN, the EU Member

States and regional organisations.

At bilateral level, the EU should develop tailor-made dialogues and partnerships as part of its

overall relationships with African countries. It is important to ensure the complementarity

and the added value of the existing and future cooperation frameworks.

VI.

Conclusion: working together to implement the partnership

In order to achieve the ambitions outlined above and effectively implement the new

partnership, the EU and Africa have to find ways to work more closely together.

a. At global level: strengthen rules-based multilateralism

The African Union and the EU are committed to the international rules-based order and the

multilateral system, with the United Nations at its core.

We share the conviction that no

global challenges can be solved by any single country or group of countries. Global

cooperation and regional integration offer the best guarantees for international stability and

economic growth. We therefore have a shared interest to cooperate on multilateralism and

common agendas (e.g. climate action, digitalisation governance etc.) that can be addressed

effectively only together. Together, Africa and Europe form the largest voting bloc in the

UN. By pooling forces, we have brought about key international agreements such as the 2030

Agenda for Sustainable Development and its Sustainable Development Goals and the Paris

Agreement on Climate Change, and are committed to their implementation. This approach

should be pursued also in the various specialised UN agencies. Africa and the EU should

seize every opportunity to continue to act together effectively in all strategic areas of mutual

interest across the three pillars of the UN and ensure cooperation and alignment of positions

whenever relevant. We should also partner and seek alignment in all other multilateral fora,

such as the G20 and the World Trade Organisation (WTO).

Collective action and outreach in support of the international rules-based order and the

multilateral system is required by all EU and African Union members. In an increasingly

competitive world where ideas circulate freely and values come under threat, particular

attention will be paid to public diplomacy in support of multilateralism across both

This proposed action is in line with Sustainable Development Goals 1 (no poverty) and 10 (inequalities).

As reflected in the Treaty of the EU, the

African Union’s Agenda 2063, the Global Strategy for the EU’s

Foreign and Security Policy and the European Consensus on Development.

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continents, and around the world, by reaching out to young people, academics and other

stakeholders who collectively shape the future world order.

Proposed Action 10

–

Partner with Africa to strengthen the international rules-based

order and the multilateral system, with the UN at its core.

Regular political dialogues with African counterparts on cooperation in the multilateral

system at bilateral level and within the UN, should address issues ranging from new global

challenges to cooperation on UN Security Council-related matters. The EU should endeavour

to establish a more structured trilateral AU-EU-UN cooperation across areas of mutual

interest. It should also support necessary reforms and modernisation of existing multilateral

institutions to ensure that they are fit for purpose. With a view to supporting efforts to give a

stronger voice to Africa in the UN, international financial institutions and other multilateral

organisations, the EU supports the AU’s application for enhanced observer status in the

WTO.

b. At bilateral level: intensifying cooperation with Africa

The AU-EU Heads of State and Government summits and ministerial meetings will provide

political steering to EU cooperation with Africa. Coherence should be ensured between this

strategy and the legally binding agreements between the EU and African countries, both

through the protocol covering Sub-Saharan African countries under the new partnership

agreement between the EU and the African, Caribbean and Pacific Group of States as well as

through the association agreements between the EU and North African countries. Such

coherence will be ensured by building on the existing governance structures, such as the

summits, ministerial meetings, Commission-to-Commission and the Political/Peace and

Security Committees. It should also open dialogues with key actors, such as young people,

women, business leaders, civil society organisations, academia and think tanks.

The EU

should be ready to support the institutional reform process initiated by the AU. The EU

should also continue to work with the diasporas to enhance the different ways in which they

can contribute.

Beyond formal dialogues, the EU and Africa should seek ways to intensify people-to-people

contacts through exchange programmes, joint research activities or twinning initiatives

between academic and cultural institutions, private sector, businesses, agencies and utilities,

parliaments, local authorities or cities and regions. The EU proposes to work with its African

partners to address fragility, enhance resilience and use the tools at its disposal in a coherent

way. Facilities should support political and policy dialogue through the rapid mobilisation of

specific expertise and the creation of knowledge platforms accessible to the various

stakeholders. The successful experience of the Sectoral Task Forces set up under the Africa-

Europe Alliance for sustainable investment and jobs should be continued and possibly

replicated. Exchanges of best practices and expertise should be promoted.

This proposed action is in line with Sustainable Development Goal 17 (partnership).

The sectoral policy dialogues under the Africa-Europe Alliance (on Digital Economy, Transport, Rural /

Agriculture and Sustainable Energy Investments) offer a model that needs to be deepened and expanded. For

example on Green Transition.

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c. On the EU side: acting in unison and mobilising the means

The EU remains Africa’s biggest partner in terms of investment, trade and development. To

ensure that the EU’s substantial engagement with Africa delivers the expected results, the EU

should increase strategic and operational

coordination and joint action at headquarters

and partner country level with EU Member States and other actors,

such as the private

sector, development finance institutions, banks, development implementing agencies, export

credit agencies, local authorities, civil society organisations or cultural, educational and

research institutions. Better leveraging and coordination of the considerable participation and

work by the EU and its Member States in International Financial Institutions is key. Ongoing

efforts, such as the

‘Working Better Together’ approach via joint programming and joint

implementation, are already supporting a coherent and coordinated European strategic

approach at country level.

The strategic importance of the EU-Africa partnership must also be matched by the

resources mobilised

to support it. The Commission proposed that the new Neighbourhood,

Development and International Cooperation Instrument as of 2021 includes over 60% of

funds available to it to Sub-Saharan

Africa and the EU’s neighbourhood countries.

Corresponding to the ‘policy first’ principle, the EU should deploy its instruments in full

alignment with EU external policy objectives, standards and rules, and in coherence

with internal policies.

In line with the Addis Ababa Action Agenda, the EU should step up its engagement with EU

Member States and institutions, including European development finance institutions, to

mobilise private finance.

To attract international investors, the EU should continue leading

innovative efforts to set up a financial system that supports sustainable growth. In doing so,

the EU will build on initiatives such as the

External Investment Plan, the Africa-Europe

Alliance for Sustainable Investment and Jobs

and the

International Platform on

Sustainable Finance.

The success of the Africa-EU partnership will be measured by the concrete outcomes of the

actions developed in this document and by the tangible results the partnership will have

achieved for citizens on both continents.

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To sum up, it is proposed that the EU partners with Africa on the following 10 actions:

1. maximise the benefits of the green transition and minimise threats to the environment

in full compliance with the Paris Agreement;

boost the continent’s digital transformation;

3. substantially increase environmentally, socially and financially sustainable

investments that are resilient to the impacts of climate change; promote investment

opportunities by scaling up the use of innovative financing mechanisms; and boost

regional and continental economic integration, particularly through the African

Continental Free Trade Agreement;

4. attract investors by supporting African states in adopting policies and regulatory

reforms that improve the business environment and investment climate, including a

level-playing field for business;

5. rapidly enhance learning, knowledge and skills, research and innovation capacities,

particularly for women and youth, protecting and improving social rights, and

eradicating child labour;

6. adapt and deepen EU support to African peace efforts through a more structured and

strategic form of cooperation, with a particular focus on regions where vulnerabilities

are the highest;

7. integrating good governance, democracy, human rights, the rule of law and gender

equality in action and cooperation;

8. secure resilience by linking humanitarian, development, peace and security

interventions at all stages of the cycle of conflicts and crises;

9. ensure balanced, coherent and comprehensive partnerships on migration and

mobility;

10. strengthen the international rules-based order and the multilateral system, with the

United Nations at its core.