Luanda: The President of Angola and Chairperson of the African Union, Joo Louren§o, emphasized the potential benefits of a collaborative relationship between Africa and Europe during the opening of the 7th African Union-European Union Summit in Luanda. He asserted that both continents stand to gain significantly through mutual respect and the exchange of their respective advantages.
According to Angola Press News Agency, Louren§o highlighted Europe's technical expertise and advanced technology, contrasting it with Africa's raw materials, vast arable lands, water resources, and a young workforce. He advocated for shared cooperation as a means to benefit and develop both continents, emphasizing that collaboration could transform Africa's economic landscape.
Louren§o also called for a revival of multilateralism, suggesting that Europe could profit from a developed Africa that is not burdened by illegal immigration or constant financial aid needs. He praised successful examples of AU-EU cooperation, such as the Global Gateway initiative, and described the bilateral partnership between Angola and the European Union as satisfactory, recommending its continuation.
He underscored the importance of accelerating digital connectivity, energy transition, and the development of the Lobito Corridor to boost agricultural and industrial output. These initiatives, he argued, would enhance regional and continental economic integration and facilitate trade, particularly within the framework of the AfCFTA.
Louren§o urged that the AU-EU relationship be driven by pragmatism, free from bureaucratic hindrances that impede joint action. He stressed the need for projects targeting African youth through professional training and job creation to curb irregular migration.
The President concluded by highlighting Africa's crucial need for favorable financing terms to support projects with strategic impacts, including electrification, industrialization, and mobility, all essential for sustainable development.
