Minister Fajon calls for strengthening EU-Africa partnership and for lasting peace and stability

There are more and more conflicts in the world, and threats to international law and effective multilateralism have become part of our new reality. "Adapting to new transactional relationships causes more harm than good. Instead, we must strengthen partnerships and political dialogue. I am glad to see that both the EU and Africa are willing to do this." She mentioned her visits to African countries, most recently on behalf of the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Kaja Kallas, to Togo and Benin, adding: "I believe that such meetings and visits strengthen mutual trust, which is crucial for the safe future of us all."

Africa is a continent of exceptional potential, boasting rich resources and diverse cultures. For this potential to fully thrive, peace and security must prevail and governance must be fair and inclusive. While Minister Fajon considers the partnership between the EU and the African Union to be strong, she called for increased cooperation, especially within multilateral forums: "Multilateralism is the backbone of our foreign policy. We strongly advocate for the United Nations as the leading force in promoting international cooperation, justice and lasting peace." She further emphasised the importance of preventive diplomacy in addressing the root causes of conflicts in a timely manner. "Preventive diplomacy saves lives. While most people take access to clean water for granted, for some it is a source of conflict. This is an area where we need to cooperate and be more proactive.

The meeting of European and African foreign ministers also serves as preparation for the EU-Africa Summit, which is expected to take place in the second half of 2025.