Abstract:
The EU presents itself as a ‘privileged
partner’ of Africa and characterises the
latter as a ‘natural partner’ in the search for
a new world order, an order based on norms,
rules and greater equity for developing
states. Africa’s geo-strategic importance due
to its proximity to Europe, its growing value
as a trading and investment partner, and
the continent’s effectiveness and importance
as a role player in the southern hemisphere
and multilateral fora, are also matters of
high and continued saliency in European
strategic perceptions. These goals could only
be realised if Africa can finally overcome
underdevelopment, political instability, and
becoming a modern, stable and predictable
community of states; hence the importance
of the EU role as a donor, strategic and
developmental partner for Africa.
