spiritsNEWS February 2022
Towards a new partnership with sub-Saharan Africa
On 17 & 18 February, heads of state and government from the EU & the African Union will meet for the first time in almost half a decade, on the occasion of the much anticipated EU-AU Summit. On this historic occasion, we urge leaders on both continents to work closely on a common agenda that would deliver speedy recovery and would contribute to growth, jobs and sustainable development.
More specifically, we call on EU & AU leaders to:
- Step up the fight against illicit trade, which comes with significant economic & public health consequences and endangers several SDGs, and to improve the ease of doing business conditions, to stimulate investment in the region;
- Negotiate, modernise and fully implement existing EU-Africa EPAs (Economic Partnership Agreements) to boost economic ties between our continents. Meaningful tariff liberalization for EU sectors should be part of it;
- Complete regional and continental trade integration in Africa, e.g. full implementation of the AfCFTA (African Continental Free Trade Area), for businesses to benefit from the opportunity of a well-functioning trade area;
- Protect GIs and promote regulatory cooperation to encourage the development of high-quality products with high standards of food safety and traceability;
- Enhance Public-private consultation and dialogue with the private sector.
The EU-AU Summit on 17 & 18 February 2022 and the EU-AU Business Forum should create the positive momentum to address these issues and agree an ambitious agenda to reinforce trade links between the EU and Sub-Saharan Africa. We stand ready to work with the Commission on helping turn these ambitions into reality.
You can find spiritsEUROPE strategy for Sub-Saharan Africa here.
