AFRICA-EU: FUTURE RELATIONS & CONTINEN-

TAL INTEGRATION

Moreau and Dr i Bilal

Key Messages…

The rich debate and lively exchanges brought forward several key messag-es, including:

Take a fresh look at the chang-ing realities: The Africa-EU part-nership must adapt to the politi-cal, economic and social changes happening on both continents and in the international power-constellations.

Change the terms of the rela-tionship: There were unequivo-cal calls for the EU to reprioritize Africa in the EU investment, trade and foreign policy agenda and for Africa to look at Europe as its closest trading partner rather than an aid provider. African countries should start financing part of their regional integration process themselves.

Low intra-African trade should be boosted: regional value chains requiring a high level of specialisation provide important opportunities for Africa. The EU – with its successes and failures – offers know-how and capacities that can enrich African decisions in this regard. Political will to push forward the regional integra-tion agenda, to reinforce regional institutions, mobilize investments to national and regional infra-structure development and ca-pacity building will be necessary for a successful outcome;

(to be continued on page 3)

The drive towards integration in Africa, and the EU willingness to support

it have set the basis for a strong cooperation in this area.

However, the road has not been without challenges. African integration

process have often been slower than expected and have suffered from an

implementation gap, calling now for more effective implementation me-

chanism, predictable funding and strong political drive.

The third lunch-time seminar on the future of Africa-EU relations organi-

zed by the European Commission/DG EuropeAid highlighted the chal-

lenges and opportunities related to regional and continental integration,

both in Africa and in Europe. For the African Union and the European

Union, the integration processes are of mutual interest and represent an

essential component in their relationships.

The seminar brought together 75 participants from African Embassies, EU

Member States, international organisations, research institutes, civil socie-

ty and the private sector. Françoise Moreau, Head of the Pan-African unit

at the European Commission, opened this 3rd seminar.

Pascal Lamy, Honorary President of Notre Europe and former WTO Direc-

tor General and Dr. Obadiah Mailafia, Chief of Cabinet of the ACP Secre-

tary General, set the tone with their open statements that triggered a rich

and challenging exchange of views. H.E. Brave Ndisale, Ambassador of

Malawi to the EU and Dr. San Bilal, Head of the Economic Governance

department at ECDPM raised essential and critical issues to be addres-

sed, by both Africa and the EU, in the pursuit of a win-win partnership.

The meeting was chaired by Ms Shada Islam, Head of Policy at Friends of

Europe.

The seminar addressed several key questions such as: (a) identification

of new strategic areas of mutual interest for Africa and the EU; (b) future

STAKEHOLDERS VIEWS FROM THE LUNCH-TIME SEMINAR 12 December 2013

From left to right:

H.E. Ms Brave Ndisale, Dr Obadiah Maila-

fia, Ms Shada Islam, Mr. Pascal Lamy,ise

Stakeholders Views from the Lunch-Time Seminar 12 December 2013

role for the Africa-EU Partnership – in the context of

African growing efforts on regional and continental inte-

gration; (c) perceptions and priority areas to bridge Afri-

ca and EU positions; (d) assessing impact of efforts to

make regional AfT “politically smart” (aligned with natio-

nal priorities) produced the expected results; (e) How to

ensure coherence of EPA negotiations with the regional

integration ambitions of African groupings; (f) How can

the continental partnership best contribute to in-

vestment, job creation and sustainable and inclusive

growth?

African aspirations towards Continental and Regional

Integration have a long history. Continental and Regio-

nal Integration are perceived as a driver for economic

growth, peace and stability. Impressive progress

has been made recently on the continent to fulfil

these aspirations, including through the agreed

Economic Integration and Development Agenda, the

support to REC’s and African States ongoing efforts

to rationalize and harmonize trade and investment

laws, regulatory frameworks and procedures.

The EU has always been a strong promoter of regional

integration globally. Africa is no exception. The EU has

been a long time provider of support for Regional

Economic Communities (REC’s) and for the AU in their

integration efforts, through a multiple variety of funds

and programmes, at national, regional and continental

level (through the Regional Indicative Programmes, AfT,

the African Peace Facility, etc.). There have been es-

sentially two major channels: aid flow to the regional/

continental level and the ongoing trade negotiations at

regional level, including the EPA negotiation process.

During the lively debate several points where

highlighted, as the importance “to look at the EU expe-

rience of regional integration and how it may be useful

for Africa.

Ms Carolina Quina, H.E. Ms Brave Ndisale & Dr Obadiah Mailafia

Besides regional integration, another important policy to

consider is regional development i.e. placed based policies

and tools that promote convergence of less-developed

areas. These tools are not widely known in the develop-

ment cooperation circles but are very useful to tackle ine-

qualities, promote local economic development and job

creation and innovation. They could be relevant for Africa

in light of its demography and urbanization patterns and the

fact that

the rele-

vant eco-

geographic

units may

cut across

borders.

Many con-

flicts in Afri-

ca are due

to tensions related to regional imbalances within countries,

as in Europe.”

The debate also highlighted the importance of “strong Pan

African Institutions as they are seen as offering a safety net

and become aggregator of processes at sub-regional level.

On area they can contribute to statistical development and

standards development (SPS Measures, etc, all key for

trade) and an area for continued and enhanced Africa-EU

cooperation”. Also on trade facilitation (OECD estimates

suggest that bringing trade facilitation to a better level

would entail potential costs savings of 17%) and it was

stressed that the development of regional markets and va-

lue chains, and policies that could further support building

the supply side capacities (skills, innovation, access to fi-

nance, entrepreneurship, and territorial development) were

also considered a key for the future”.

The issue

of indus-

trialization

was also

raised

and the

impor-

tance of

effective

policies to

promote industrialization as economic transformation as

one major challenge for Africa’s future. Industrialization is

seen as “a necessity, not a luxury, for Africa long-term sur-

vival”. Moreover, a reference was made to the importance

of supporting the AIDA Initiative (Accelerated Industrial

Pascal Lamy, Honorary President of Notre Europe

Stakeholders Views from the Lunch-Time Seminar 12 December 2013

Development in Africa – which was already recognized du-

ring the III Africa-EU Summit, Tripoli, 2010) and the Action

Plan for the establishment of the Continental Free Trade

Area and Boosting intra Africa trade.

Another point made was on “complementarities” between

the EU and Africa: “EU needs to connect with growth poles,

new markets,

local business

partners, sustai-

nable sourcing of

raw materials;

Africa needs ac-

cess to know-how

& skills, R&D and

innovation, in-

vestments & ac-

cess to finance,

technology, busi-

ness part-

nerships, regional

integration”. con-

tribute to statistical development and standards develop-

ment (SPS Measures, etc, all key for trade) and an area for

continued and enhanced Africa-EU cooperation”.

Also on trade facilitation (OECD estimates suggest that brin-

ging trade facilitation to a better level would entail potential

costs savings of 17%) and it was stressed that the develop-

ment of regional markets and value chains, and policies that

could further support building the supply side capacities

(skills, innovation, access to finance, entrepreneurship, and

territorial development) were also considered a key for the

future”.

Another point made was on “complementarities” between

the EU and Africa: “EU needs to connect with growth poles,

new markets, local business partners, sustainable sourcing

of raw materials; Africa needs access to know-how & skills,

R&D and innovation, investments & access to finance, tech-

nology, business partnerships, regional integration”.

The EPA Negotiations were also at the centre of the de-

bate. The call for high level political dialogue and for a deci-

sive “breaking the ice policy” was stressed by many as

they are perceived as putting a lot of strain on the Africa-EU

relationship: “technical solutions exist but an engagement at

a high political level is required to push the negotiations

forward.”

Continued from Page 1)

...Key Messages

Break the ice” by dealing with the EPAs: The EPA negotiations put a strain on the Africa-EU relationship and a political solution is needed. Technical solutions exist but an engagement at a high political level is required to push the negotia-tions forward. The discussion on EPAs should be included in the framework of JAES. Once the EPAs are concluded, Africa and EU could turn to addressing convergence of rules, standards and norms which go beyond the Cotonou Agreement;

Lessons that Africa can learn from Europe: African integration requires effective ownership. Meanwhile it is important to look at the EU's expe-rience and how it may be useful for Africa, in parti-cular to help Africa transform economic growth into well-being. Besides regional integration, addres-sing regional imbalances is important, through i.e. specific regional policies and tools that promote convergence of less-developed areas. These tools are not yet widely known in the development cooperation circles but are very important to tackle inequalities, promote local economic development, job creation and innovation;

Focus on regional rather than continental inte-gration in Africa: as the latter will not be a reality soon regional approaches to social and economic integration should be a priority ;

Nevertheless Pan-African institutions are indis-pensable: One significant area in which they can contribute is the development of statistics and standards, which are of key importance to trade. Here the EU can play an important role;

Increase EU Africa cooperation on regulatory frameworks: Participants called for enhanced capacity building in the area of regulatory frame-works, rules and standards, quality control and SPS measures to ensure that African exports can reach global markets;

Move from "aid for trade" to "investment for trade": trade facilitation is important to lower costs for African countries. Meanwhile, more attention is needed to build supply side capacities (skills, inno-vation, access to finance, entrepreneurship, territo-rial development).

* * * *

JAES Support Mechanism for the Africa EU Partner-

ship

For more information:

http://www.africa-eu-partnership.org

E-mail: info@jaes-support.com