On 17 February 2023, the European Institute of Romania (EIR) organised the expert meeting “Consolidating the European Union – African Union partnership: African and Romanian perspectives” (online format – Zoom). The event was a follow-up of the collective report initiated and published by the EIR in November 2022, entitled “African and Romanian perspectives on consolidating the European Union – African Union partnership“. The main objective of the dialogue between experts—authors of the collective Report, concerned the European Union – African Union partnership and Romania’s possible contribution to it.
The meeting was held under Chatham House Rules.
The following main ideas emerged from the debate:
- Africa needs to be correctly understood. It is a continent with heterogeneous development, various cultures and needs. Addressing African inequalities in culture, infrastructure, education, and literacy requires a long-term vision.
- The main priorities for European Union (EU) – African Union (AU) cooperation are global challenges, identified as critical for both continents.
- The EU – AU partnership suffers from some cooperation issues that need to be tackled. Implementation is behind the cooperation agenda.
- Consolidating the cooperation is key to future relations. The need for honest relations with African countries, both political and economic, at all levels of government was evoked.
- Migration is a central issue for EU-AU partnership. Current challenges of cooperation are inflation, energy, food security, and literacy. Education for sustainable development, digitalisation, industrialisation, and climate change are key challenges for Africa’s future development.
- Eastern European countries lack extensive previous experiences with regard to cooperation with Africa, but they are well regarded by Africans.
- Romania has a great potential for extending its cooperation with Africa. It would need a national strategy for Africa. There are favourable factors, such as: a positive image, a good heritage, and extended diplomatic relations. At the same time, there are generations of African students that studied in Romania and may act as its ambassadors in Africa.
- The participants expressed their openness to support mutually beneficial academic activities and collaborate on joint projects to bring regional cooperation closer to its potential.
- The initiative of the EU-AU Collaborative Report has been highly appreciated by all participants, who expressed their desire to continue this type of cooperation.