Europe & Africa: a strategic approach

The EU’s prominence as Africa’s principal commercial partner and aid donor – as well as key contributor to regional security through the African Peace Facility (AFP) – has laid the ground for closer cooperation, in particular with regional economic communities. Yet the recent spike in migratory flows, for instance, has highlighted the pressing need to consolidate strategies beyond crisis response measures. As part of the expert outreach and consultation process leading to the EU Global Strategy on Foreign and Security Policy (EUGS), the EUISS, IAI, ECDPM and IFRI organised a conference on Europe-Africa relations. The event, which was attended by regional experts and officials, aimed to conduct a strategic reflection on EU external action priorities in the continent.