Mignot: Africa/Europe ties destined, rests on mutual respect

The European Union (EU) Ambassador to Nigeria and ECOWAS, Gautier Mignot has described the ties between the continents of Europe and Africa as destined and resting on long-term impact, sustainability and mutual respect.

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Speaking at a reception organized for African Union and European Union in Abuja, Mignot said “the ties between both continents as a “community of destiny,” adding that Africa’s and Europe’s wellbeing are deeply interconnected.

He emphasised that the partnership rested on long-term impact, sustainability, and mutual respect—principles he believed would continue to guide cooperation in the coming years.

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The reception which marked the successful conclusion of the 7th African Union–European Union Summit and the 25th anniversary of the AU–EU partnership hosted by the European Union Delegation to Nigeria and ECOWAS, in collaboration with the Embassy of Angola, had in attendance envoys from both European and African countries.

The reception was jointly led by the EU Ambassador and the Ambassador of Angola, José Bamóquina Zau, whose country hosted the summit in Luanda at the end of November.

In his remarks, the EU Ambassador praised Angola for its hospitality, noting that the summit’s success was anchored largely on the commitment and support of the host government and people. He extended the appreciation of all participating delegations to Ambassador Zau and commended Angola for facilitating what he described as “a real sense of community” among nations.

Although President Bola Ahmed Tinubu was unable to attend the summit in Angola due to domestic engagements, Nigeria was represented by Vice-President Kashim Shettima.

The ambassador noted that the strong representation from both African and European sides underscored the significance attached to the partnership. According to him, the joint statement endorsed in Luanda by countries representing about 40 per cent of the global community demonstrated unity and shared resolve.

He said the summit reaffirmed a shared commitment to a more inclusive global order and a fairer international financial system capable of addressing the needs of citizens across the two regions. Over the past 25 years, he added, the AU–EU partnership has matured into a platform that drives concrete results across critical areas including peace and security, economic transformation, green and digital transitions, education and regional integration.

Highlighting the Global Gateway Investment Strategy, Mignot noted that more than half of its 264 flagship projects are focused on Africa, with investment commitments of at least €150 billion.

He also cited major initiatives aligned with the AU Agenda 2063, including the €1.2 billion Team Europe programme supporting the African Continental Free Trade Area, and the Africa-Europe Green Energy Initiative targeting the delivery of 50 GW of renewable energy and electricity access for 100 million Africans by 2030.

He noted that despite occasional misconceptions about the strength of the relationship, but stressed that the EU remains Africa’s largest trading partner, leading investor, top provider of development and humanitarian assistance, and the biggest contributor to the African Peace and Security Architecture.

He highlighted youth mobility and women’s empowerment as areas of particular pride for the partnership.

On his part, Ambassador of Angola, José Bamóquina Zau on the event hosted in Angola, said: “Luanda stood up as a platform of hope and a symbol of the African desire to establish continuous relations with Europe in search of benefits of both sides.”

He said hope must be anchored on building channels of dialogue and cooperation in the areas of peace and security, trade and investment, governance, education and health, climate action, and digital transformation.

The envoy said: “We must guide our actions with a spirit of pragmatism, free from the prejudice and bureaucracy that so often hinder the implementation of important decisions taken together.”

He, however, stated that Africa cannot continue to be dominated by poverty while remaining a major supplier of essential raw materials to the world.

He added that: “We must build a new, solid, and effective vision between Africa and European financial institutions, with investments in development. This is the most assertive way to avoid the suffocation caused by excessive debt burdens.”

He, however, said: “Our strategic partnership will only be strong and resilient if it aligns with the African Union’s Agenda 2063, and capable of responding to current global and local geopolitical challenges.”