As 5^th EU Ambassador to the AU, since the establishment of the EU Delegation in 2008, Ambassador NIÑO PÉREZ confirmed that the European Union is determined to remain a natural, constructive and respectful partner of the African Union. Our substantive engagement with the AU on peace and security on the continent, support to AU’s G20 membership, the AfCFTA as well as the Global Gateway Investment Package are specific examples of our strong engagement towards the African continent; and on which our two Unions have committed to working together at the 6^th EUAU Summit in February 2022.

Commending the positive atmospherics of the 2022 Summit and the political commitments, the AUC Chairperson expressed the strong wish for continuous engagement between the EU and the AU; and for concrete deliverables, underlining the importance of dialogue and stocktaking at the EUAU Ministerial which according to the Chairperson should take place this year. More broadly Faki reiterated the need for reform of the international financial system, without which Africa cannot pursue a sustained path of development.

Ambassador NIÑO PÉREZ underlined that the EU is Africa’s first supporter, referring to our strong political commitment to effective AU membership in G20. EU Ambassador NIÑO PÉREZ, together with the staff of the EU Delegation in Addis Ababa, and the member states, will continue to engage with the African Union  to deliver on the AU-EU partnership