Africa-Press – Angola. The Angolan Head of State and Chairperson of the African Union, João Lourenço, assured on Tuesday, in Luanda, that the partnership between Africa and the European Union is based on the trust built over the last decades, dispelling fears of neocolonial practices.
Speaking at a joint press conference with the President of the European Council, António Costa, held shortly after the closing of the 7th African Union-European Union Summit, which took place from the 24th to the 25th, in Luanda, President João Lourenço stated that African countries have as their main guarantee, against possible European neocolonial tendencies, the trust established over the last 25 years of strategic partnership between the two continents.
Asked about how to ensure that European interest in critical African minerals does not translate into a new cycle of exploration, João Lourenço pointed out that the current relationship is based on mutual trust and specific projects.
In response to another question about the growing Russian presence in Africa and the African position in the face of the war in Ukraine, the President evoked the historical support of the then Soviet Union for African liberation movements and highlighted the “eternal gratitude” of the people of the continent.
However, in this regard, he stressed that, at present, Africa is guided by the defense of universal principles.
“Africa defends justice, defends principles. Just as we defend our people’s right to independence and sovereignty, today we defend Ukraine’s right to its territorial integrity”, he noted.
João Lourenço recalled that the invasion of Ukraine constitutes a violation of the international order and that allowing a State to disrespect recognized borders paves the way for a scenario of global instability.
The 7th AU–EU Summit ended in Luanda with calls for strengthening economic, energy and security cooperation, as well as respect for the principles of the United Nations Charter in dealing with global crises.
The event, which took place in the year in which the two regional blocs reach the 25th anniversary of their formal cooperation, took place under the general theme “Promoting Peace and Prosperity through Effective Multilateralism”.
The meeting was co-chaired by the Angolan Head of State and African Union Chair, João Lourenço, and the President of the European Council, António Costa.
28 Heads of State and Government and 18 representatives from African countries participated in the Summit, as well as 14 European leaders and representatives from 12 Member States of the European Union.
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