EU’s Van Rompuy: Africa needs private-sector-led growth

In the follow-up of 2007 Lisbon Summit and in the year that we celebrate the 50th anniversary of the European integration and the 50th anniversary of the beginning of the independence of Africa, EU (European Union) and AU (African Union) Leaders will meet in Tripoli during 2 days. The 3rd Africa-EU Summit will bring together about 80 Heads of State and Government, and provide an opportunity to consolidate Africa-EU relations, for more prosperous future for 1.5 billion people in 80 countries. The 3rd Africa-EU Summit will also help adapt the Africa-EU partnership to the significant developments that have occurred in Europe, in Africa and internationally since the adoption of the joint Africa-EU Strategy in 2007. The EU remains Africa’s most important political ally and a reliable trade and development partner. At the 2nd Africa-EU Summit in Lisbon in 2007, both sides decided to place their relations on a “new, equal and strategic footing”. The Leaders will discuss topics such as energy and climate change, migration or gender issues.