AFRICA: EU adopts development, security partnership strategy

[ This report does not necessarily reflect the views of the United Nations]

AMSTERDAM, 13 Oct 2005 (IRIN) - The European Commission, the executive arm of the European Union, has adopted a 2005-2015 "European Union Strategy for Africa", in which Europeans have committed to increase aid to Africa.

"The EU strategy for Africa will mark a true turning point in helping Africa help itself," Louis Michel, the EU commissioner for development and humanitarian aid, said in a statement on Wednesday after the joint EU-African Union meeting in Brussels.

The EU said the plan's priorities included peace and security; good and effective governance; social cohesion; and environmental sustainability.

The EU also pledged increased budgetary aid to African states.

European heads of state must approve the newly adopted strategy before it can be implemented. No dates have been set for this.

Plagued by incessant wars and poor governance, millions of people in Africa have been living under the poverty line for years. Many more have been displaced by conflict, prompting leaders to rely on external aid.

Until now, the Africa-EU relationship had been defined within the African, Caribbean and Pacific Group-EU framework and various joint accords, the most recent of which is the June 2000 Cotonou Accord.

[ENDS]