AU-EU RELATIONS : A FRUITFUL WORKSHOP HELD BETWEEN THE TASK FORCE OF THE AFRICAN UNION 2050 AFRICA’S INTEGRATED MARITIME STRATEGY AND EXPERTS FROM THE EUROPEAN UNION

Addis Ababa, November 4, 2013 - Experts from the European Union (EU) were sent by Brussels, through the Support Mechanism of Africa-EU Partnership, to the Headquarters of the African Union Commission (AUC) in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia to discuss, share experiences and prospect viable ways of cooperation with respect to the 2050 Africa’s Integrated Maritime Strategy (2050 AIM-Strategy).

The EU expert mission was led by Vice-Admirals Patrick Hebrard, Anthony Dymock and Fernando del Pozo. For four (4) days (28 October – 1st November 2013), this delegation had an intense workshop with the 2050 Africa’s Integrated Maritime Strategy (2050 AIM-Strategy) Task Force so to first get to know more about the content of the 2050 AIM-Strategy and its Plan of Action, then learn from African perspectives on how the continent is strategically planning to address the challenges and opportunities of its inland waters, seas and oceans, and by the same token provide recommendations and suggestions based upon their experience and expertise in order to better improve the 2050 AIM-Strategy. The two (2) parties agreed that an efficient and effective implementation of the 2050 AIM-Strategy and its Plan of Action would provide socio-economic benefits to the African populations through enhanced safety and security.

The Africa-EU partnership facilitated the mission and enabled exchanges between the AU Task Force and the Vice-Admirals who work as the Wise Pens. The Wise Pens International provides in-depth independent analysis, authoritative orientation and advice to governmental and non-governmental institutions in maritime-related affairs, together with strategies and solutions to address the challenging waves leading to a safe, secure and stable maritime domain that will guarantee a sustainable Blue Economy and Blue Growth.

For further details on the 2050 AIM-Strategy and its Plan of Action, please visit: www.au.int/maritime