The third African Union–European Union Ministerial meeting was held on 21 May 2025 in Brussels. The meeting was co-chaired by the High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, H.E. Ms. Kaja Kallas, and the Minister of External Relations of Angola, H.E. Mr. Tete António, Chairperson of the AU Executive Council.
The Ministerial meeting aimed at reviewing the progress made under the joint vision for 2030 adopted at the sixth EU-AU Summit in 2022. Strengthening the cooperation between the two continents and respective institutions was also part of the discussions.
The joint vision for 2030 provides the main political guidance in the context of EU-Africa cooperation in the years ahead. The Global Gateway investment package has evolved as the centerpiece of the EU-Africa joint vision 2030. The projected package by the European Union for the Global Gateway dedicated for Africa is quoted as Euro 150 billion, if implemented can help to effectively transform the cooperation from donor-recipient towards sustainable investment. That will have an impact on the priorities of African countries mutual benefits with their EU partner member states.
Some of the key areas of the investment are:- digital and transport infrastructure, health, education and skills, climate change and environment, focusing on job creation for Africa’s growing young population. The Foreign Ministers deliberated on the future of this investment priorities and the essence of the EU-AU partnership, with focus on strengthening the cooperation to deliver at the level of the private sector.
The seventh EU-AU summit will be held in Africa marking the 25th anniversary of EU-AU partnership. The Ministerial Meeting, therefore, highlighted priorities for the leaders’ level discussions. In view of this, the plenary session has focused on four thematic discussions namely: Renewed and Enhanced Cooperation for Peace and Security, Commitment to Multilateralism, Prosperity, and an Enhanced and Reciprocal Partnership on Migration and Mobility.
The third African Union–European Union Ministerial meeting was held on 21 May 2025 in Brussels. The meeting was co-chaired by the High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, H.E. Ms. Kaja Kallas, and the Minister of External Relations of Angola, H.E. Mr. Tete António, Chairperson of the AU Executive Council.
The Ministerial meeting aimed at reviewing the progress made under the joint vision for 2030 adopted at the sixth EU-AU Summit in 2022. Strengthening the cooperation between the two continents and respective institutions was also part of the discussions.
The joint vision for 2030 provides the main political guidance in the context of EU-Africa cooperation in the years ahead. The Global Gateway investment package has evolved as the centerpiece of the EU-Africa joint vision 2030. The projected package by the European Union for the Global Gateway dedicated for Africa is quoted as Euro 150 billion, if implemented can help to effectively transform the cooperation from donor-recipient towards sustainable investment. That will have an impact on the priorities of African countries mutual benefits with their EU partner member states.
Some of the key areas of the investment are:- digital and transport infrastructure, health, education and skills, climate change and environment, focusing on job creation for Africa’s growing young population. The Foreign Ministers deliberated on the future of this investment priorities and the essence of the EU-AU partnership, with focus on strengthening the cooperation to deliver at the level of the private sector.
The seventh EU-AU summit will be held in Africa marking the 25th anniversary of EU-AU partnership. The Ministerial Meeting, therefore, highlighted priorities for the leaders’ level discussions. In view of this, the plenary session has focused on four thematic discussions namely: Renewed and Enhanced Cooperation for Peace and Security, Commitment to Multilateralism, Prosperity, and an Enhanced and Reciprocal Partnership on Migration and Mobility.
At the Ministerial Meeting, the African side reflected and actively participated on issues related to peace and security, as well as prosperity while the European side demonstrated stronger interest on the other two. Ministers underscored the need to enhance commitment to tackle the root cause of conflict and crisis. Partnership in peace and security remains common agenda, and Ministers called for revitalizing cooperation in line with Africa’s Agenda 2063. The meeting also reflected on the idea of using economic and people to people ties of the two continents for further deepening the partnership and mutual benefits. They identified areas of cooperation, leveraging the Global Gateway priorities for connectivity.
The importance of the Global Governance reform including International Financial Institutions and the United Nation Security Council was emphasized by the Ministers. They also discussed on how to adapt to the new global order that should saves multilateralism. The new geopolitical challenges demand strengthening joint action on global issues such as fighting terrorism, cybercrime, addressing climate change and environmental degradation. Ministers recognize the significant voting power of EU and AU member states (40%) in the United Nations and call for more coordination to rejuvenate the multilateral system fit for purpose.
The Ethiopian Delegation led by H.E. Dr. Gedion Timothewos, Minister of Foreign Affairs has participated in the meeting. His Excellency the Minister presented Ethiopia’s priorities and positions in the plenary session of Prosperity, underscoring Ethiopia’s vision on the development agenda. He underlined the need for scaling up investment under the Global Gateway Initiative and stressed the necessity to achieve tangible results beyond declarations.
The Minister further highlighted AU’s Agenda 2063 and projects like the AfCFTA, CAADP, PIDA, Clean and Renewable Energy Investment remain important. He urged alignment of the EU regulations like the EUDR with Africa’s trade frameworks particularly the Everything But Arms. Dr. Gedion also emphasized how the Africa-EU collaboration in Artificial Intelligence Digitalization, and innovation leverage prosperity. He called for joint investment for shared prosperity, and Ethiopia’s readiness for business, mentioning the significance of protecting smallholder farmers from unintended burdens of new regulations and abruptly introduced regulations.
On the sidelines of the meeting, Dr. Gedion held productive bilateral discussions with the Foreign Ministers of various European and African countries. He also held bilateral discussion with the European Union Commissioner for International Partnerships and European Union Commissioner for Home Affairs & Migration. The focus of the meetings were to address concerns regarding the European Union’s development financing, which should evolve according to the frameworks envisaged in the Global Gateway initiatives. He emphasized Ethiopia’s preference for a system where resources are directly invested and financed through government-led programs and projects, with the aim of saving resources consumed by overhead costs. Minister Gedion noted that the development pillars of Ethiopia are mostly consistent with the EU Global Gateway initiatives, where the role of the private investment is critical.
Concerning Migration, the Minister underscored Ethiopia’s ongoing cooperation with the European Union Member States despite the unjust decision from the EU side. Both parties agreed to continue dialogue and collaborate to ensure the purpose of the partnership will be met.
Generally, the Ministerial meeting served as crucial platform to evaluate the existing partnership between the two unions and charted a course for more impactful collaboration based on mutual interests. The Ministerial joint declaration and presentation of a Preliminary Monitoring Report, reviewed by the AU-EU Ministerial Follow-up Committee showed the progress made in the implementation of pledged commitments.
The EU is the top trading partner of African countries collectively and by far their largest export market. In this connection, the Ministers explored how African countries should make progress in value addition of commodity exports. In 2023, total trade between the European Union and African countries amounted to €467.2 billion and the potential to advance these flows as well as strengthening people to people relations through reformed mobility policies requires serious attention on both sides.
With its growing agricultural production, mining and expanded tourism destinations Ethiopia is a natural attraction for more investment from the EU Member States. The latest Macro-economic Reform Program and ease of doing business will help to maximize profit for involved FDI from the EU Member States.
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