G20 summit in Rome: Emmanuel Macron prepares the next EU-AU summit

French President Emmanuel Macron (right) chairs a meeting with African Union and European Union leaders at the Palazzo Farnese in Rome on the sidelines of the G20 leaders' summit on October 30, 2021. AFP - LUDOVIC MARINE

Text by: Valérie Gas Follow

1 min

Emmanuel Macron organized, Saturday, October 30 on the sidelines of the G20, an informal meeting with representatives of the African Union and the European Union.

Its objective: to prepare the next EU-AU summit, which will take place during the French presidency.

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From our special correspondent in Rome,

This is one of the priorities of the

French Presidency of the European Union

in the first half of 2022: renewing the Europe-Africa relationship. And it is therefore to prepare the organization of the summit, which should take place in Brussels, that the French president wanted to bring together the European and African partners

in Rome

, in order to have an informal discussion and to be able to say "

more things.

" 

strong

 ”, explains a diplomatic source, present at this meeting.

The objective is to put in place a more modern governance, with concrete projects, and to get out of these summits which give birth to a declaration in “ 

55 points

 ”. The drafting of a more political - and short - text on the principles which overhaul the relationship is under study. It could serve as a preamble to the summit declaration.

All the partners seem to agree to implement this new, more modern governance which could also consist in appointing

European and African champions

on each subject - 

climate, vaccine, vocational training,

etc. This new EU-AU summit could be held on February 17 and 18, 2022, one month after the start of the French presidency of the European Union and two months before the end of the

French presidential campaign

. Good timing to make it a showcase for Emmanuel Macron.

In terms of economy, mobility, safety and ecology, we share so many challenges!

Yes, the Europe-Africa partnership will be one of the objectives of the French Presidency of the Council of the European Union.

The date is set: first half of 2022. pic.twitter.com/rMx5GeuzGh

- Emmanuel Macron (@EmmanuelMacron) October 30, 2021

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  • France

  • Africa

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  • African Union

  • Emmanuel Macron