Visit of Luxembourg Deputy PM and Foreign Affairs Minister

Addis Ababa, Ethiopia: 10 June, 2013: The African Union Commission Chairperson, H.E. Dr. Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma received H.E. Mr. Jean Asselborn, the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, and his delegation from the Grand-Duchy of Luxembourg to the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia and the Permanent Representative of Luxembourg to the African Union.

During the visit, they discussed issues of common interest with focus on the Luxembourg-Africa longstanding relationship, and conflicts in countries such the Central African Republic, Mali and Syria. The Deputy PM and Foreign Affairs Minister drew attention to his government’s concerns on the situation of women and children in armed conflict, given that Luxembourg currently chairs the UN Security Council Working Group on Children and Armed Conflict.

H.E. Asselborn and Dr. Dlamini Zuma also exchanged views on European-African relationship, particularly at a time when Europe is going through some internal challenges. Being an important partner to the European Union, the AU can be affected by the crises in Europe. However, they agreed that it is important for Europe to remain engaged with the rest of the world, and Africa in particular, while dealing with its internal challenges. They also agreed on the need to negotiate and find solutions to the outstanding Economic Partnership Agreements (EPAs) in the context of EU-AU partnership before the next EU-Africa Summit in Brussels in 2014.

Dr. Dlamini Zuma expressed her satisfaction that Luxembourg is engaged on the continent, maintaining its commitment of contributing one percent of its GDP towards official Development Assistance (ODA), and encouraged the rest of Europe to maintain meaningful partnership with Africa. She remarked that a developing Africa is good for Africa itself, and good for the rest of the world.” She noted that discussions are building up with the African Development Bank and the UN Economic Commission for Africa to develop equity funds where European countries can invest. The AUC Chairperson highlighted the importance for the rest of the world to realize that a developed Africa is good for everyone.

H.E. Mr. Jean Asselborn, was accompanied by H.E. Mr. Jean-Marc Hoscheit, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary; Ms. Nadine Feyder, Deputy Head of Mission; Ms. Valerie Heyman, First Secretary to the Embassy of the Grand-Duchy of Luxembourg to the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia and Permanent Representative of Luxembourg to the African Union.