Questioning old certainties: Challenges for Africa-EU relations in 2012

WECO Changes on the African continent and in the European Union (EU) have occurred at a dramatic pace in recent months. The underlying shifts arising from these changes and the evolving global and EU internal contexts are affecting many of the agreements and policy instruments linking the two continents.

To facilitate as wide a stakeholder engagement as possible, this year’s ECDPM Challenges Paper identifies important debates that concern Africa-EU relations in 2012 and outlines the context within which these will take place.

The triangle of EU values, EU interests and a more self-reliant Africa opens possibilities for a number of scenarios. Whether the overall goal of advancing Europe’s interests is reconcilable with the values that the EU is committed to pursue is a question repeatedly asked throughout this paper. In 2012, partners on both continents will be engaging afresh and setting new directions in light of the changing context. The Challenges Paper concludes that while some old certainties will end, others will need to be reaffirmed.

Click here for more information and the report

Click here to read the report of EEPA Director Prof Mirjam van Reisen on the future of the EU and the ACP, entitled "The old man and the seas — The future of EU-ACP relations", published by the Broker.

/Within the report, Prof van Reisen explores and examines the future of the ACP-EU relationship in the context of the ACP’s effort to establish a presence in global governance; the ACP's opportunities to become a stronger, more independent group; and the new relationships the ACP is building with the BRICs (Brazil, Russia, India and China) and other emerging economies./