Communiqué of the EU-Africa Ministerial
in Dublin, Ireland on 1 April 2004
In the framework of the EU-Africa dialogue, the EU-Africa
Ministerial meeting, in troika format, was held in Dublin
on April 1, 2004 under the Co-chairs of the Minister
of Foreign Affairs and Co-operation of Mozambique, the
Honourable Leonardo Santos Simao, current Chairperson
of the AU Executive Council and the Minister of Foreign
Affairs of Ireland, the Honourable Brian Cowen, President
in exercise of the EU.
The EU Troika was composed of the Secretary General/High
Representative for Common Foreign and Security Policy
of the Council of the European Union, Mr. Javier Solana,
the Minister for Development Co-operation of The Netherlands,
Ms. Agnes van Ardenne, and the member of the European
Commission Poul Nielson. The AU Troika was composed
of the South African Minister for Foreign Affairs, Dr.
N.C. Dlamini Zuma, outgoing Chairperson of the AU Executive
Council, the African Union Commissioners Mr. Said Djinit,
Ms. J. Dolly Joiner and Ms. E. Tankeu. Ministers focussed
their discussion essentially on the following key issues:
1. Peace and security
2. Governance
3. Regional integration and trade
4. Key development issues
· Debt
· Food security
· HIV/AIDS
5. Effective Multilateralism
6. Way forward
7. AOB: ICC
1. Peace and security
The European Union welcomed the progress made by the
African Union in establishing a continental architecture
for peace and security. In this respect, the meeting
noted with satisfaction the election of the members
of the Peace and Security Council (PSC) and adoption
of its rules of procedure as well as the progress made
in relation to the establishment of the African Stand-by
Force and the Early Warning System. The Peace and Security
Council will make a significant contribution to strengthening
Africa's capacity for the prevention and resolution
of conflicts.
Following the declaration of the AU Summit in Maputo
requesting the EU to examine the possibility of setting-up
a Peace Support Operation Facility to fund peace support
and peacekeeping operations conducted under the authority
of the AU. Ministers noted the establishment by the
EU of the Peace Facility for Africa, which will become
operational by mid-2004. The African side reiterated
the principle of solidarity among African countries
underlying the AU Maputo Summit decision for the setting
up of the Peace Facility for Africa and stressed the
need to fund peace support and peacekeeping operations
conducted under the authority of the AU.
Ministers welcomed continuous commitment of the EU and
Africa in furthering peaceful transition in the Great
Lakes region. Ministers highlighted the importance of
the African Mission in Burundi (AMIB), which will be
followed by a UN peacekeeping operation. Ministers underscored
the useful EU and UN support for the transition in the
DRC, including in the fields of police and justice.
Ministers also welcomed the contribution that ECOWAS,
in co-operation with the United Nations, has made to
the restoration of peace and security in Sierra Leone,
Liberia and Côte d'Ivoire. Ministers further acknowledged
the invaluable role played by IGAD in furthering the
peace processes in the Horn of Africa, particularly
in Sudan and Somalia and also recognised the contribution
played by SADC in working to resolve conflicts in its
region. Ministers underscored the need for an integrated
approach to post-conflict peace-building and economic
recovery in the Mano River area, Côte d'Ivoire,
and in the Great Lakes area.
Ministers highlighted the importance of the electoral
process in Burundi and the DRC and requested both Commissions
to co-operate in support of preparation of elections
in these countries.
Ministers restated the necessity of a continued dialogue
on issues of continental implication as well as on the
different country situations foreseen in the Rome Communiqué.
A permanent dialogue between the HOMs and the respective
Commissions in Brussels and Addis Ababa on these issues
would do much to enhance political understanding between
both sides.
Ministers reaffirmed their commitment and determination
to continue to co-operate in the global fight against
terrorism. Ministers expressed concern with recent events
involving mercenaries in Africa and emphasised the need
to combat mercenarism, which is one of the sources of
destabilisation in Africa. Ministers expressed their
sympathy and solidarity with the government and people
of Spain for the horrific bombings that took place in
Madrid on 11 March 2004.
2. Governance
Ministers noted the positive efforts being made by African
countries aimed at consolidating democratic principles,
good governance, as well as respect for the rule of
law and human rights. In this respect, both sides welcomed
the coming into force of the Protocol for the establishment
of the African Court on Human and People's Rights and
the holding of the inaugural session of the Pan African
Parliament on 18 March 2004. Ministers believe that
both institutions will make a significant contribution
in safeguarding and ensuring observance of human rights
throughout Africa as well as in promoting democracy,
the rule of law and good governance.
The African side expressed gratitude for the assistance
provided by the European side to strengthen institutions
involved in the promotion of good governance, human
rights and respect for the rule of law. In this respect,
the African side urged the European side to continue
and to expand the assistance in view of the critical
role of these institutions. Ministers also recognised
that civil society organisations have an important role
to play in the success of these efforts and therefore,
called for their continued support.
Ministers acknowledged that the aforesaid governance
issues are important to the maintenance of peace and
stability in Africa which itself is a pre-requisite
for economic and social development.
Ministers welcomed the outcome of the recent APRM (African
Peer Review Mechanism) forum in Kigali (13-15 February
2004). Ministers believe that the APRM, an African-owned
and African-led process, will contribute to ensure that
good governance becomes a reality in Africa.
The European side expressed its concern at the continuing
deterioration of human rights in Zimbabwe. It stressed
that restrictive measures do not target the general
population. The African side underscored the importance
of the resolution of the land issue in Zimbabwe in addressing
the historic injustice that resulted in skewed land
ownership. Ministers acknowledged the need to encourage
meaningful internal dialogue in Zimbabwe as the way
forward.
3. Regional integration and trade
Ministers agreed that, in order to promote open, equitable,
rule-based and non-discriminatory multilateral trading
system that benefit all countries in the pursuit of
sustainable development, the EU-Africa dialogue will
favour co-ordination and co-operation towards the successful
completion of the Doha Development Agenda negotiations.
The first priority should be to make all joint necessary
efforts to resume the work after the Cancun World Trade
Organisation ministerial meeting. In this context, the
EU and Africa will work in accordance with the Doha
Ministerial Declaration, which placed the needs and
interests of developing countries at the heart of the
Doha work programme.
Ministers recognised the importance for the European
Commission and the African Union Commission to work
together to ensure coherence and mutual reinforcement
between the Regional Economic Communities engaged in
the Economic Partnership Agreements negotiations and
the establishment of the African Economic Community.
With the launch of EPA negotiations with Western Africa,
Central Africa and Eastern and Southern Africa, a joint
EU-Africa monitoring mechanism should be put in place
as a priority. This mechanism, together with the co-ordination
between the AU and the RECs, should work informally
at ensuring a better flow of information.
The EU welcomed the role of the AU Commission in co-ordinating,
monitoring and harmonising the efforts of the RECs in
the integration process of Africa. As proposed in the
AU Declaration adopted in Maputo in 2003; the informal
joint monitoring mechanism should allow to follow the
implementation of the EU regional support programme
in Africa and to assess their contribution to the integration
process at continental level, as well as their coherence
with the priorities and objectives of the AU. The European
Commission is ready to support the AU Commission in
this exercise.
4. Key development issues
4.1. Debt
Ministers noted that, following the directives of the
2nd Ministerial Conference in Ouagadougou, the experts
on debt from the EU and African side met in Dublin,
Ireland, on 16-17 February 2004, in the framework of
the EU-Africa dialogue meeting at senior official level.
Ministers welcomed the joint report prepared by debt
experts from the African and European sides on the scale,
nature and impact of Africa's debt burden. Ministers
feel that the report represents a shared understanding
and analysis of external debt in African countries on
the following areas:
(i) the structure and magnitude of Africa's debt burden;
(ii) adverse impacts of excessive debt on Africa and
creditor countries
(iii) recent developments of debt initiatives for African
countries, including a review of the traditional approaches,
the HIPC initiative and the Evian approach.
(iv) progress towards a new framework to maintain long-term
debt sustainability in Low Income Countries.
(v) beyond debt relief, the link with the future financing
of development in Africa and the need for a broader
development policy.
Ministers therefore endorsed the joint report and mandated
both sides, included both Commissions, to consider the
modalities to take the process forward.
4.2. Food security
Ministers welcomed the renewed commitment of African
Heads of State and Government as expressed in the Sirte
Declaration on the Challenges of Implementing Integrated
and Sustainable Development in Agriculture and Water
in Africa. Ministers reaffirmed their commitment to
improving food security in Africa and welcomed the joint
assessment study, which will evaluate the main national
and regional food security early warning systems in
place in Africa. This joint study will be undertaken
in close coordination with the FAO.
4.3. HIV/AIDS
Ministers welcomed the considerable progress made in
the fight against HIV/AIDS and other pandemics since
the first EU-Africa Summit in 2000 and expressed appreciation
for the priority accorded by the Irish Presidency of
the European Union to this issue. Ministers were briefed
on the three major events being organised by the Irish
Presidency in relation to the HIV/AIDS issue.
5. Effective Multilateralism
The two sides agreed on an effective multilateral system,
including a rule-based international order and strong
international institutions, is essential to addressing
the interrelated problems of conflict, poverty, underdevelopment
and the absence of human security. Ministers confirmed
their strong belief that a strategic EU-Africa partnership
and strengthened EU-AU relations will contribute to
the reinforcement of such a multilateral system. To
this effect, they agreed an EU-AU Joint Declaration
(attached as annex I).
6. Way Forward
Ministers agreed to continue their dialogue in the interest
of intensifying their cooperation. The next meeting
will take place in the second half of 2004 with a venue
to be decide at a later date.
7. AOB
The European side raised the issue of the International
Criminal Court and urged ratification of the Rome Statute
by those countries that have not yet done so.
ANNEX I
European Union/Africa Joint Declaration on Effective
Multilateralism
The European Union and Africa share a core belief in
the multilateral system of collective security enshrined
in the United Nations, and share the premise that the
primary responsibility for the maintenance of international
peace and security rests with the United Nations Security
Council, in accordance with the UN Charter. The European
Union and Africa are also committed to achieving international
cooperation in solving international problems of an
economic, social, cultural or humanitarian character,
and in promoting and encouraging respect for human rights.
They recognise the need to make the multilateral system
more responsive and effective in meeting global threats
and challenges.
The European Union and Africa are agreed that an effective
multilateral system, including a rule-based international
order and strong international institutions, is essential
to addressing the inter-related problems of conflict,
poverty, underdevelopment and the absence of human security.
They regard such a system as essential in confronting
threats such as HIV/AIDS and other infectious diseases,
the proliferation of small arms, poverty, weapons of
mass destruction and terrorism, and environmental degradation.
The European Union and Africa are committed to the continued
reform and revitalization of the United Nations system
and noted the establishment by the UN Secretary General
of the High-Level Panel on Threats, Challenges and Change.
The European Union took note of the position of Africa
on the reform of the UN Security Council, including
permanent representation of Africa in the Council.
The European Union and Africa are committed to the implementation
of the Millennium Summit Declaration and the achievement
of the Millennium Development Goals. In this context,
they are determined to implement the results of recent
UN global High-Level Conferences and look forward to
a comprehensive review of progress at a high-level plenary
meeting within the 60th United Nations General Assembly
in 2005.
The European Union and Africa will continue to promote
open, equitable, rules-based and non discriminatory
multilateral trading and financial systems that benefit
all countries in the pursuit of sustainable development.
They support the successful completion of the work programme
contained in the Doha Ministerial Declaration, the implementation
of the Monterrey Consensus and of the Plan of Implementation
of the World Summit on Sustainable Development. They
welcome the decision contained in the Doha Ministerial
Declaration to place the needs and interests of developing
countries at the heart of the work programme of the
Declaration, including through enhanced market access
for products of developing countries. The EU and Africa
encourage ongoing efforts by international financial
and trade institutions to ensure that decision-making
processes and institutional structures are open and
transparent.
The European Union and Africa are agreed on the importance
of the primary objectives of the New Partnership for
Africa's Development (NEPAD) as the socio-economic programme
of the African Union - poverty eradication, sustainable
growth, bridging the digital divide and halting the
marginalization of Africa in the globalization process
- and of the structured basis for the attainment of
those objectives, especially peace and security, good
governance and regional co-operation, and economic partnership
agreements. They welcome the decision of the AU Assembly
in Maputo to integrate NEPAD into the AU structures
and processes within a period of three years. They recognize
the important role played by the regional economic communities,
as building blocks of the AU in the implementation of
NEPAD.
The European Union and the African Union are agreed
that their shared response to issues of human security
should be based on the concepts of responsibility, prevention,
capability and partnership. They recognise that the
European Security Strategy and the African Common Defence
and Security Policy enshrines these concepts, and the
determination of the European Union to develop a more
active, capable and coherent response to key threats
can be of particular value in addressing problems of
human security in Africa, in particular those of regional
conflicts and state failure.
The European Union welcomes the progress made by the
African Union in establishing of a continental architecture
for peace and security and the operationalisation of
the Peace and Security Council, which will evidently
make a significant contribution in strengthening Africa's
capacity for the prevention and resolution of conflicts
in the continent.
The European Union and Africa are agreed that good governance
and respect for human rights and humanitarian law, along
with economic development and the alleviation of poverty,
are central to the prevention of conflict. They welcome
the establishment of the African owned mechanisms -
the African Peer Review Mechanism and the Conference
on Security, Stability, Development and Co-operation
in Africa to promote these objectives. They acknowledge
the central role of the United Nations in promoting
observance of and respect for human rights and agree
to work more closely within the UN Commission for Human
Rights in order to strengthen the effectiveness of its
decision-making process. They are agreed that the accelerated
empowerment of women presents a key opportunity for
progress and recall the provisions of UN SCR 1325 of
31 October 2000 on women, power and security which urges,
inter alia, an increased decision-making role for women
in relation to the prevention, management, and resolution
of conflict.
The European Union and Africa underlined the strong
commitment to end impunity and agreed on a speedy ratification
and implementation of the Rome Statute. They also welcome
the coming into force of the protocol for the establishment
of the African Court on Human and People's Rights and
believe that this Court will make a major contribution
to safeguarding and ensuring observance of human rights
throughout Africa.
The European Union and Africa are committed to reinforcing
their cooperation with each other and with the United
Nations in identifying threats to peace and security
and in developing preventive actions, in supporting
multilateral actions aimed at dealing with global threats
such as terrorism and various dimensions of conflicts
such as arms trafficking and illegal exploitation of
natural resources, in enhancing their support to crisis
management, including by supporting United Nations peace-keeping
operations and by participating in peace-keeping operations
authorized by the United Nations, and in cooperating
with the UN in affording assistance to states emerging
from conflict.
The EU and Africa will continue to cooperate in the
UN and elsewhere, in order to support the global fight
against terrorism.
They recognise the role that regional and sub-regional
organisations, can play in the maintenance of international
peace and security. They particularly stress that such
transboundary problems as armed groups, refugees, child
soldiers and arms trafficking need to be dealt with
at the regional level. The need to strengthen African
peace support operation capabilities, in cooperation
with the UN, is recognised. The European Union and the
African Union are united in their determination to make
the African Peace Facility, established by the European
Union, operational without delay. They also look forward
to further progress being made towards the establishment
of the Early Warning System and deployment of an Africa
Stand-By Force.
The EU and Africa agreed to continue to develop their
co-operation in the interest of effective multilateralism
and to intensify their co-operation in the UN and in
other international organisations.
