As Europe commemorates the 75^th anniversary of the Schuman Declaration, a proposal by French Foreign Minister Robert Schuman in 1950 that laid the groundwork for the European Union (EU), the Kingdom of Lesotho and the EU celebrate a strengthened and fruitful partnership, marked by the annual Lesotho-EU Partnership Dialogue, taking place in the framework of Europe Month, and reflecting the shared commitment to democracy, human rights, and green sustainable development.

The Lesotho-EU Partnership Dialogue

The Lesotho-EU Partnership will be the focus of a press conference chaired by the Honourable Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Relations, Lejone Mpotjoana and by EU Ambassador Paola Amadei on 14 May 2025 at 15H00 at the Avani Lesotho Hotel in Maseru.

As a centrepiece of Europe Month already in the past two years, the Dialogue brings together members of His Majesty’s Cabinet and senior officials on the Lesotho side and Ambassadors and diplomats of EU Member States under the leadership of EU Ambassador Paola Amadei. This gathering underscores the mutual dedication to ongoing partnership and facilitates deeper engagement on a range of critical areas, notably governance and human rights, multilateral and regional developments, trade and business environment, Lesotho-EU cooperation in particular in the field of renewable energy, sustainable water management and access, as well as climate change.

“We are elated to come together only days after the 9^th of May, marking the birth of the European project for peace and development. Like King Moshoeshoe I, the founding fathers of the European Union believed in peace and solidarity and wanted to offer the citizens of the Union and their partners a sustainable peace, based on respect of human rights, fundamental freedom, democracy and development for all, so that war will become unthinkable.  EU relations with the Kingdom date back to 1976, year of the enforcement of the Lomé Convention, when the EU Delegation in Maseru also opened its doors in the Mountain Kingdom.  For almost 50 years now, the European Union has been a committed partner to Lesotho, supporting diverse programmes and initiatives covering water and sanitation, renewable energy, infrastructure, social protection, and governance”, says EU Ambassador Paola Amadei. “This relationship has progressively expanded from development cooperation and humanitarian assistance to a multi-faceted partnership encompassing political dialogue, trade and investment, socio-economic cooperation, support to national reforms and governance, academic and cultural academic exchanges notably via the Erasmus+ programme”, she adds.

Ambassador Amadei continues, “EU relations with the Kingdom of Lesotho are now underpinned by the Samoa Agreement, signed in November 2023 by the EU and its 27 Member States, along with 79 nations from the Organisation of African, Caribbean and Pacific States. This agreement provides a comprehensive framework for political, economic, and development cooperation between the EU and Lesotho. This agreement covers around 2 billion people. The announced presence of representatives from fourteen Member States of the Union, the largest delegation ever participating in the Dialogue, is a clear sign of the vitality of the relations and of the importance the EU attaches to them.”

“Later this month, the EU will be honoured to welcome Honourable Minister Lejone Mpotjoana in Brussels to participate to the Third EU-AU Ministerial meeting, preparing the ground for the AU-EU Summit later this year, culminating a very special period for the revamping of Africa and Europe relations, 50 years since the signing of the Lomé Convention,” she adds.

“Today, we celebrate not only the EU’s enduring commitment to peace and prosperity but also how deeply these principles resonate with Lesotho’s aspirations, rooted in sustainable development, inclusive governance, and regional stability. As we approach the significant milestone of 50 years of positive and fruitful relations between Lesotho and the EU, we reflect on the progress we have achieved together and look forward to deepening our cooperation even further”, remarked Honourable Mpotjoana, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Relations.

Honourable Mpotjoana added, “This year, as we commemorate Europe Month, we also honour another important milestone: the 25th anniversary of the AU-EU partnership—a visionary alliance that has fostered continental unity, advanced shared development agendas, and amplified our collective voice in addressing global challenges. Together, these dual anniversaries mark not only the passage of time but the enduring power of solidarity, shared vision, and collective action in shaping a more equitable and prosperous future for our nations and continents.”

“For almost five decades, Lesotho and the EU have embarked on a partnership rooted in mutual respect and a commitment to advancing peace, democracy, and sustainable development. Over this period, the EU has been an indispensable partner in Lesotho’s journey toward sustainable development. Through targeted development cooperation, the EU has supported critical advancements in education, healthcare, and rural infrastructure, empowering communities and laying the groundwork for long-term resilience. Landmark initiatives, such as EU-funded water security programs and renewable energy schemes, have directly improved livelihoods, particularly in Lesotho’s remote highland regions”, affirmed the Honourable Mpotjoana.

“Equally transformative has been the EU’s steadfast support for democratic governance through electoral reforms, human rights advocacy and institutional capacity-building, which has strengthened Lesotho’s democratic foundations, ensuring that the voices of our people remain central to our national development. As we approach this golden jubilee, we also recognise the EU’s solidarity during times of crisis. From combating the devastating HIV/AIDS pandemic to addressing climate-induced droughts and navigating the COVID-19 pandemic, the EU’s unwavering partnership has been a beacon of hope, underscoring the profound value of global cooperation in an interconnected world”, emphasised Honourable Mpotjoana.

2025 Lesotho-EU Cooperation programme 

Europe Month is also an opportunity for the Government of Lesotho and the European Union to officially launch the 2025 Cooperation programme, providing a total of €16 Million (approx. M337 million) of EU funding. The ceremony will take place on 14 May at 1600hrs at Avani Lesotho.

The 2025 programme includes a boost for the Renewable Lesotho initiative aimed to advance renewable energy production, smart energy saving, improved access to electricity and employment and entrepreneurship in the sector, in line with the EU Global Gateway Strategy. Furthermore, technical assistance to the Government of Lesotho on a demand basis will be reinforced. Both Renewable Lesotho and the Cooperation Facility were launched in 2023 and are now expanded to face additional demands. 

As part of the 2025 programme a new initiative, Inclusive Lesotho, is set to enhance participation and inclusion in the political system in Lesotho and to strengthen the administration of elections, by strengthening civic education and empowering all citizens to fully participate in the democratic process; by supporting the establishment of an inclusive, accessible, and accurate voter registry; and by increasing transparency of electoral campaigns and party financing. 

 “Drawing on key recommendations from the 2022 EU Election Observation Mission (EOM), Inclusive Lesotho aims to strengthen electoral integrity, promote inclusive governance, and address long-standing structural barriers, in particular, strengthening the Independent Electoral Commission and civil society organisations as vehicle of civic education,” says EU Ambassador, Paola Amadei.

She adds, “As a reliable and principled ally on the global stage, the EU remains devoted to promoting democracy, encouraging inclusive dialogue, and strengthening partnerships based on respect of sovereignty, independence and transparency. Beyond providing recommendations via the 2022 EOM, this programme shows in a very tangible way the EU’s steadfast commitment to supporting Lesotho’s democratic development.”

“Given that most of the recommendations offered by the EU EOM require legal reforms to be implemented, we are indeed encouraged by the EU’s pledge to support these recommendations through dialogues and technical cooperation. We eagerly await the arrival of the EU EOM follow-up mission to move this reform agenda forward. As we embark on this journey of reform, we are confident that the EU EOM’s findings will serve as a valuable roadmap toward achieving electoral processes that meet both national expectations and international standards. Lesotho looks forward to continued collaboration with the EU as we work together to build a more resilient, transparent, and inclusive democratic future for all Basotho”, remarked the Honourable Mpotjoana, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Relations.

Europe Month: A Celebration of a Partnership that Delivers

Europe Month is also the opportunity every year to highlight the partnership’s impact on the ground. A key aspect of the Lesotho- EU partnership is access to services for all and this is reflected in many of the events of the month.

The Decentralised Ombudsman Office in Mohale’s Hoek will be inaugurated and the Children Court in Leribe will be visited this month as symbols of the broader efforts to improve access to justice and redress across the country and for all citizens, including children. 

Later in the month, the Minister of Natural Resources, Honourable Mohlomi Moleko and Ambassador Amadei will be in Mohale’s Hoek for the completion of works at one of the first schools benefitting from improved access to water and sanitation thanks to the Metsi-a-Lesotho programme, signed exactly one year ago. 51 communities in Thaba-Tseka, Maseru and Mohale’s Hoek districts will get access to water and sanitation this year thanks to the programme, implemented by UNICEF.

Earlier this month a Youth Dialogue & Networking Pitso on education, as part of the EU-funded Youth Power Hub, was presided by the Minister of Gender, Youth and Social Development, Honourable Pitso Lesaoana, enabling a space of dialogue between youth and national authorities.

EU staff will also visit in Leribe, one of the most recent projects supported by the EU to improve access to the EU and global market by local small and medium-size enterprises.

50 years on, the Partnership is still growing strong making a difference for Basotho.