The European Union and Regional Co-operation in Africa

EU-Africa relations have undergone a remarkable transformation over the past sixty years, from the colonial era to a ‘partnership of equals’. As African states gained independence, the EU developed a number of different frameworks for its trade, aid, and later political cooperation with African partners, resulting in the fragmentation of EU-Africa relations. The adoption of the JAES in 2007, however, has laid the foundation for a strategic partnership between both continents, complementing and adding value to the existing frameworks. Despite significant progress made in terms of regional integration and cooperation, challenges remain. This paper sketches EU-Africa interregional relations, starting with a brief history of EU-Africa relations and an overview of the different regional integration frameworks in Africa. It maps the legal and institutional framework of the EU’s cooperation with the AU and the different Regional Economic Communities and examines the policy framework of the strategic partnership. Subsequently the tools for cooperation are examined, with a focus on political dialogue, trade and investment, and financing, before concluding with an analysis of the opportunities and challenges of EU-Africa cooperation.status: accepte