Minister Grlić Radman attends AU-EU ministerial meeting

Minister of Foreign and European Affairs Gordan Grlić Radman on 25 and 26 in Kigali attended the African Union-European Union (AU-EU) ministerial meeting and held talks with Rwandan Foreign Minister Vincent Biruta.

The high-level AU-EU meeting discussed the progress achieved since the previous AU-EU summit in Abidjan in 2017 and the models and forms of future cooperation with regard to climate change, investment in education and infrastructure in Africa, as well as migration management.

Addressing the event, Grlić Radman said that Africa was particularly affected by climate change and that it was important for the EU to continue helping its African partners in mitigating its effects, and in adapting and strengthening their resilience to climate change. The minister also reflected on the issues of security and migration. "Croatia fully supports the joint peace and security plan, also by actively participating in UN and EU peace operations in Africa", he said, adding that Croatia appreciated and supported efforts by African partners in dealing with growing security challenges, including migration, terrorism and maritime security.

In addition, Grlić Radman stressed the importance of trade between Europe and Africa as well as of the education and role of women in economic development. "We believe that the strengthening of women plays an important role in socioeconomic development, which is why Croatia has supported such projects in Kenya and Tanzania," he said, adding that Croatia was considering other potential areas of development cooperation as a possible contribution to strengthening the trade between the EU and Africa. "Ensuring a prosperous future for the African youth should still be the focal point of our joint efforts," the minister concluded.

In the declaration adopted at the meeting, the ministers underscored the EU's support to Africa in a number of areas of security and economy, emphasizing the importance of implementing the EU-AU Memorandum of Understanding on Peace, Security and Governance and welcoming the progress in establishing the African Peace Fund. They confirmed cooperation in healthcare, notably in the fight against COVID-19, as well as commitment to the EU-AU strategic partnership. The ministers also pledged to effective cooperation in preparations for an EU-AU summit in February the following year.

Moreover, the declaration calls for establishing a single African electricity market and launching an African continental free trade agreement to help transform Africa, with digital technologies and investments in infrastructure being key. The ministers also welcomed preparations for the 7th EU-Africa Business Forum and expressed support to the AU's comprehensive programme for the development of agriculture. Finally, the ministers underlined commitment to strengthening cooperation on the global scene, coordinating work on strengthening multilateralism and implementing the 2030 Agenda.

During the visit to Kigali, Grlić Radman also met with his Rwandan counterpart Vincent Biruta for talks on strengthening bilateral economic cooperation and the EU-AU partnership.