European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen A business summit begins with African leaders In the Angolan capital Luanda on Monday.
But the talks began against a backdrop of European leaders busy planning to end the war in Ukraine.
European leaders last week raised concerns about a US plan to end the war in Ukraine, which was seen as a blatant endorsement of Moscow’s demands.
The German foreign minister and the US secretary of state directed new talks in Switzerland on Sunday to work out a plan that is acceptable to both Ukrainians and Europeans.
European leaders were set to continue discussions on the sidelines of a summit in Angola this morning.
EU Council President Antonio Costa said he spoke to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky this morning before chairing an informal meeting with EU leaders.
Leaders attending the two-day summit in Angola include South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, Kenyan President William Ruto, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz and French President Emmanuel Macron.
EU chief inaugurates seventh EU-AU summit in Angola, focusing on investment
EU chief Ursula von der Leyen opened the summit by outlining three key approaches that were part of a broader program called the “Global Gateway”, first established in 2021.
The summit, officially called the European Union-African Union (EU-AU) summit, was last held in Brussels in 2022. That was the sixth edition. The first EU-AU summit was held in Cairo in 2000.
Von der Leyen said the EU was on track to meet its €150 billion spending target. Strengthen partnerships in Africa by 2027As part of the Global Gateway project.
On Monday, he said the bloc had since “mobilised more than 120 billion euros of investment” including by promoting digital infrastructure, vibrant entrepreneurship and regional integration so companies can grow.
These projects were in line with African Union Agenda 2063.
What to know about EU, AU cooperation
EU and African teams work together on conflict prevention on the continent and are major economic partners.
The EU currently deploys 12 civilian and military missions and operations on the continent, including in Libya, Mali, Somalia and the Central African Republic.
The EU is Africa’s largest trading partner and investor, while Africa is the EU’s fourth largest trading partner.
The EU targets €239 billion ($275 billion) in foreign direct investment in Africa in 2023.
Edited by: Sam Dusan Inayatullah