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Joint Communique - 12th Ministerial Meeting EU – Cabo Verde Special Partnership

10.02.2023
Praia
Press and information team of the Delegation to Cabo Verde

12th Ministerial Meeting

EU – Cabo Verde Special Partnership

Praia, 31 January 2023

Joint Communique

  1. The 12th Political dialogue at Ministerial level between the European Union and the Republic of Cabo Verde under the EU-Cabo Verde Special Partnership was held in Praia, Cabo Verde on 31 January 2023.
  2. The European Union and Cabo Verde (hereinafter “the partners”) reiterated their strong commitment to the shared values and common agenda of the Special Partnership, and emphasised the relevance of the Partnership in the current geopolitical environment. The partners reaffirmed their attachment to the respect for human rights, democracy, good governance and the rule of law, and their commitment to multilateralism and to a rules-based international order.
  3. Building on the high-level event of 25 November 2022, which marked the 15th Anniversary of the Special Partnerships, both partners highlighted the success of the Partnership in meeting its objectives. Under all its pillars, solid progress has been made over the past fifteen years through various cooperation activities between Cabo Verde, the EU and its Member States. Cabo Verde underlined that the EU stands out as a crucial partner for its development and on matters of strategic mutual interest, such as security, including maritime security, the blue economy, digital transformation, energy transition and hydrogen production.
  4. On the current geopolitical context and the situation in Eastern Europe both partners reaffirmed their commitment to the sovereignty, independence, unity and territorial integrity of Ukraine and deplored the Russian Federation’s aggression.
  5. The partners acknowledged the war-induced disruptions of trade flows and value chains that have pressured markets, producers and consumers worldwide and threaten food security for the vulnerable in many parts of the globe, adding to the already negative effects of the COVID-19 pandemic and the drought. In Europe, increases in energy prices have created an unprecedented challenge affecting economic well-being.  In Cabo Verde, development gains have been eroded with a negative impact on human development indicators, as highlighted in Cabo Verde’s declaration of a social and economic emergency in June 2022. The partners reiterated their continued engagement in working together to overcome the impact of these crises and, considering Cabo Verde’s status as a middle-income country, recognized the importance of providing budget and development assistance to Cabo Verde to allow the country to face these challenges, including through further exploring other sources of funding.
  6. On COVID-19, the partners recognised the severe impact of the pandemic on Cabo Verde’s economy, and underlined the strong interconnection of the European and Cabo Verdean economies. The EU congratulated Cabo Verde for the comprehensive response to the pandemic, including a very successful vaccination campaign, to which the European Union and its Member States contributed through substantial vaccines donations. Cabo Verde appreciated the EU prompt support and solidarity, including through the swift adaptation of projects in 2020, and the early disbursement of budget support in 2021 and the perspective of continuing this support in 2023. The mutual recognition of European and Cabo Verdean COVID-19 Digital Certificates is evidence of how the Special Partnership can deliver.
  7. The partners committed to increase coordination on many issues on the international agenda, highlighting their agreement to continue to work closely on WTO reform, the effective implementation of the Paris Agreement, the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, and global security matters, including cyber-security.
  8. The partners discussed peace and security in the West Africa region and Cabo Verde ́s regional strategy, highlighting the positive role that Cabo Verde can play in the region.  Given the importance of maritime security, the parties agreed to maintain cooperation in the framework of Yaoundé Architecture and the EU’s Coordinated Maritime Presences initiative. In this context, the parties welcomed the setting up of the Multinational Maritime Coordination Centre in Praia, and the maritime events of December 2022 involving five vessels from four EU Member States. The partners also highlighted the progress achieved on the control of illicit traffic, including important seizures of cocaine in Cabo Verde’s jurisdictional waters.
  9. The partners exchanged views on their bilateral cooperation programme, 2021-27, including budget support to assist Cabo Verde on the two key objectives of attaining 50% renewable energy by 2030, and eradicating extreme poverty by 2026. The EU commended Cabo Verde on its ambition, which would place Cabo Verde among the first countries to attain SDG 1. Both partners agreed to continue joint efforts in support of these strategic objectives and to reinforce cooperation on green and inclusive growth, and to hold regular policy dialogue on these issues, including at a political level.
  10. The EU confirmed that Cabo Verde is a partner for Global Gateway, being able to benefit from Team Europe Initiatives, including mobilising private investments. As powerful examples, the partners welcomed the launch in Cabo Verde of the EllaLink fibre optic cable, June 2022, and the inauguration of a modernised Maio Port, September 2022, an integral part of the Praia-Abidjan transport corridor.  Further potential Global Gateway investments are being discussed with Cabo Verde, with the objective of supporting the country’s renewable energy goals, developing its blue economy, strengthening its digital sovereignty and cybersecurity, and supporting its aspirations as a smart and secure digital service provider in the region.
  11. The partners welcomed Cabo Verde’s increasing involvement in scientific and academic networks such as Géant and RedClara, resulting from the country’s participation in the EllaLink and BELLA projects. Cabo Verde will have a leading role in expanding these networks to West Africa through an ambitious regional digital and data connectivity agenda, bringing unprecedented opportunities for scientific and business exchanges, and facilitating the sharing of high-performance computing and Earth observation data. The partners also welcomed Cabo Verde’s signature of the All-Atlantic Ocean Research and Innovation Alliance Declaration, July 2022, and its participation in the Alliance, which aims at enhancing international cooperation in marine research and innovation so that the Atlantic Ocean remains healthy and sustainable. The partners encourage Cabo Verde higher education institutions to expand cooperation and mobility with their European peers through Erasmus+. Mobility for researchers can also be supported by Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions.
  12. The partners discussed the protocol implementing the 2006 Fisheries Partnership Agreement (FPA), maritime and fisheries policy, and the FPA’s role in the development of the maritime economy in Cabo Verde.  The partners agreed to continue discussions on this matter in 2023.
  13. On the Generalised System of Preferences (GSP+), the partners concurred on the importance of Cabo Verdean goods maintaining preferential access to the EU market post 2023. As regards the derogation from the rules of origin under the GSP scheme, the partners will continue to exchange on the adaptation process as the derogation is granted for three years. The partners agreed to consider possible technical support to Cabo Verde’s application to the next GSP+ arrangement once the new EU GSP scheme is in place.
  14. The partners agreed to work to unblock the West Africa EPA, which provides an automatic derogation for fisheries and the possibilities for origin-cumulating between all countries of the region, which would contribute to solving the tuna supply shortage that Cabo Verde regularly experiences. In addition, the partners welcomed the gradual implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area, recognising its role in boosting regional and continental economic integration to the benefit of all its members.
  15. The partners welcomed the entry into force on 1 July 2022 of the Amendment to the Visa Facilitation Agreement, reducing the cost and simplifying the requirements for short-term Schengen visas for Cabo Verdean citizens.
  16. The Partners agreed that the next Ministerial Meeting will take place in 2024, in Brussels.

On behalf of the Government of the Republic of Cabo Verde

H.E. Rui Alberto de Figueiredo Soares - Minister of Foreign Affairs, Cooperation and Regional Integration

On behalf of the European Union

Josep Borrell Fontelles - High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy / Vice-President of the European Commission

Signed in the presence of

H.E. Jean Asselborn - Minister of Foreign and European Affairs of the Grand-Duchy of Luxembourg