“We must develop our partnership and cooperation with the African Union in a range of areas, such as sustainable development, youth employment, climate change, peace, security, human rights and crisis management”, the President of the European Parliament stated following his meeting with the new Chairperson of the African Union Commission, Moussa Faki Mahamat.

“Africa is a priority for the European Union”, Tajani emphasised, saying that, “Mr Moussa Faki’s presence in the Chamber today sends a very powerful political message which will lend fresh impetus to our relations with our African partners.”

President Tajani also stated, “Europe and Africa face a common challenge, that of managing migration. We need to address the root causes of the problem. We must invest more in Africa, and engage in genuine economic diplomacy in an effort to create growth and jobs. Africa is a continent of opportunity and it is my belief that it will be the continent of the future. ‘ 

‘I also applaud Mr Moussa Faki’s unwavering commitment on the fight against terrorism. We must not forget that Africa is the continent hardest hit by terrorist attacks. Cooperation between the European Union and the African Union in this area, in particular in the Sahel and Libya, is crucial’, Tajani concluded.

Note to editors:

Presidents Tajani and Moussa Faki will hold a press conference outside the protocol room today at around 12.30. You can follow it live here.

Moussa Faki Mahamat is the Chairperson of the African Union Commission, which fulfils a similar role to the European Commission as the executive authority of the African Union.

The European Parliament has also invited the President of the Republic of Côte d’Ivoire, Alassane Ouattara, to address the plenary in June 2017.

The next European Union-Africa Summit will be held in late November 2017 in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire.