Africa-Press – Angola. The Chairman of the European Council, António Costa, on Tuesday in Luanda argued that only multilateralism will allow the nations to respond to global challenges and implement the Sustainable Development Goals.
Speaking at the closing ceremony of the 7th AU-EU Summit, he guaranteed that multilateralism will also combat climate change, poverty and inequality, with a view to guarantee food and health security, as well as fight transnational crime.
“Defending multilateralism cannot mean remaining stuck in 1945”, he stressed.
He said “Today the world is very different and defending multilateralism implies ensuring the reform of international organizations, such as financial organizations, the World Trade Organization (WTO), and the United Nations Security Council (UNSC)”.
For António Costa, this is a common message transmitted to the world with the legitimacy of having already proven that when working together, results are achieved.
He recalled that this is how the Pact for the Future was approved at the United Nations General Assembly in 2024, guaranteeing the African Union’s place in the G20 intergovernmental forum.
Peace
On the other hand, the official of Portuguese nationality stated that peace is based on defending an international order governed by rules, emphasizing that today no conflict is local or regional.
“Any conflict violates the international order and the values of the Charter of the United Nations, whether it is the violation of humanitarian law in Gaza or the violation in Sudan, Somalia, the Democratic Republic of Congo, or Ukraine”, he underlined.
He said that when a country does not respect the territorial integrity of its neighbor and internationally recognized borders, its determination is an invitation for all others to do the same with their neighboring countries.
Partnership
Regarding the partnership, Antonio Costa said that it is also based on the defence of peace and security.
He recalled that the European Union has 12 of its 21 external missions for the protection of peace and security on the African continent and, through the European peace facility, has already provided funding for more than a year.
The European Council leader confirmed that the EU has delivered one million euros and equipment to African authorities to combat terrorism, organized crime, and disinformation.
The last AU-EU summit was held on February 17 and 18, 2022, in Brussels, Belgium, where EU and AU leaders reached an agreement on a joint vision for a renewed partnership.
Source: ANGOP
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