Summary: September 16, 2002: Intervention by H.E. Ambassador John B. Richardson on behalf of the European Community at the High-level Plenary meeting to consider how to support NEPAD (New York)
As already stated by Denmark on behalf of the EU, from the very beginning the European Union has expressed its full support for NEPAD, which we see as a truly African platform, not just for economic and social progress, but also for political empowerment.
The European Commission also endorses and supports the political values that are at the heart of NEPAD, and which in the EU's view correspond to indispensable components of an effective development policy: good governance, democracy, respect for human rights and the rule of law. It is our strong belief that these elements are indispensable preconditions for the sustainable development of the continent and the creation of a more conducive environment for peace and stability.
We believe that the formation of the African Union and the implementation of NEPAD can be mutually reinforcing in propelling the continent forward. The decision taken in Durban in July to set up a Peace and Security Committee as well as an African standby-force is evidence of the level of ambitions existing in Africa in this regard.
NEPAD and the African Union have one important characteristic in common: they aim at creating a pan-African level of governance. By its very nature the European Commission understands and endorses the common vision and values that will guide this new pan-African level of governance. These values are the same that guided and inspired the founding fathers of the EU in shaping the European integration process, considered the most successful example of an "ever closer union" between sovereign
states.
The European Commission very much appreciates the new dimension of African ownership and leadership expressed through the African Union and NEPAD and the evident African determination to build a more coherent framework for tackling key challenges such as peace and stability and sustainable development.
The new pan-African level of governance holds great development potential. Engaging civil society and the private sector in a participatory process will be crucial in this new dynamic. The strengthened economic and political environment and the increased integration of the African economies can act as a catalyst for a better and accelerated mobilisation of all development resources and for an increased synergy between different national programmes of neighbouring countries.
EU cooperation with Africa takes place through the contractual instruments of the Barcelona/MEDA, Cotonou and EU/South Africa agreements, which we have negotiated with African countries. The Commission is ready to support NEPAD as a process, and we are prepared to assess our own programmes in Africa in the light of NEPAD, and step up our support for regional and continental integration.
NEPAD and the African Union are likely to play an important part in the next stage of the EU-Africa dialogue. The second Europe-Africa Ministerial Conference (to be held in Ouagadougou in November 2002) and the next EU-Africa Summit in Lisbon (in April 2003) represent the occasion to give a new political momentum to the Europe-Africa dialogue, which we engaged in Cairo 2 years ago.
NEPAD is an important new opportunity in the context of the EU-Africa partnership. We in the EU intend to seize it.
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