Addis Ababa – Ethiopia. November 21, 2019. Mr. Thomas Oppermann, Vice-President of the German Parliament called on H.E Mr. Kwesi Quartey, Deputy Chairperson of the African Union Commission at AU Headquarters in Addis Ababa.

Welcoming Mr Oppermann, the Deputy Chairperson asked the Vice-President to convey his warm greetings and admiration to Her Excellency Angela Dorothea Merkel, Chancellor of Germany, for the bold decision she took, at huge political cost to herself and her party to open the doors of Germany to refugees.

Mr. Oppermann gave an account of his visit to a refugee’s camp in Addis Ababa and expressed his amazement at the diversity of the inhabitants of the camp, resources deployed, as well as the dedication to make the occupants feel welcome.

The two parties acknowledged the importance of technical and vocational training education (TVET) especially to the bulging African youth population in the face of the high level of unemployment on the continent, and the growing demand for excellent craftsmanship.

The Deputy Chairperson further observed that, promotion of TVET must be handled in a systematic way, taking into account demand and supply pressures, and ‘visible hand’ of planning. In this regard, H.E Quartey stated that Africa has a lot to learn from Germany, and stressed the need to deepen cooperation in this regard.

On the Agenda 2063, the continental policy vehicle for accelerating the integration process and attaining economic freedom, H.E Mr Quartey, said the European Union stood as a shining example for the AU to emulate. ‘The EU that, for over 75 years, Europe has been able to maintain sustainable peace, was a major achievement that the AU aspire to emulate in its integration efforts.

Other matters discussed were the shrinking labour force of Europe, the African Compact to boost investment between African and Germany, Rule of Law among others.

The meeting came to an end with assurances from both side to take immediate action on matters discussed

For further information contact
Directorate of Information and Communication | African Union Commission I E-mail: dic@africa-union.org I Web Site: www.au.int I Addis Ababa | Ethiopia

Esther Azaa Tankou, Directorate of Information and Communication, AUC Tel. +251 911361185, E-mail: yamboue@africa-union.org

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