This document presents an analysis of the joint Africa-EU Strategy (JAES), highlighting changes in African-European relations influenced by economic dynamics and the emergence of new global players. It discusses lessons learned from JAES implementation, the challenges posed by institutional structures, financial asymmetries, and proposals for enhancing the partnership ahead of the upcoming Africa-EU summit. The document emphasizes the need for clearer political leadership, improved implementation dialogue, and effective monitoring mechanisms to realize mutual interests.

1. Rebuilding confidence
and commitments
Dr. Damien Helly
DEVE Committee
European
Parliament,
Brussels
3 March 2014
The implementation of
the Joint Africa-EU
Strategy

2. Page 2
Structure of the presentation
1. What has changed in Africa Europe relations?
2. The implementation of the JAES: lessons learned
3. Flexible implementation works
4. Institutional structure: heavy and only consultative
5. Paradoxes and dilemma
6. EU financing
7. Towards the April Africa-EU Summit
8. Priorities for the European Parliament
9. Way forward: mentalities and attitudes

3. 1. JAES: What has changed in the
Africa-EU relationship?
Page 3
1. African “economic boom” but major
challenges of sustainable and inclusive
growth, unemployment and instability…
2. EU economic, financial & political
crisis: inward looking, difficulties to
reconcile values and interests
3. Emergence of new global players: more
competitive context

4. 2. The implementation of the
JAES: lessons learned
Page 4

5. • Diverse implementation of 8 partnerships:
each at its own pace, various dialogues and
processes
• Flexible and imaginative stakeholders find a
supportive framework in the JAES
• Unwillingness blocks cooperation and
dialogue: EPAs, ICC, major security crises
2. The implementation of the
JAES: lessons learned
Page 5

6. 3. Flexible and imaginative implementation
Page 6
Partnership Implementation
Peace &security
Infrastructure
Pre-existing funding facilities
allowed to develop beyond JAES
Trade and regional
integration
Disconnect between EPAs
negotiations and the JAES
framework, but more
engagement from thematic
DGs of the EC
Democratic governance &
human rights
Dialogue proved tough yet
innovative solutions were
experimented
Science, information society,
space
Intensification of
cooperation on research

7. Page 7
4. Institutional
structure: heavy but
only consultative
• One-size-fits-all model
= inadequate
• Confusion on the level
of implementation
(continental, regional,
national)
• No clear link with real
decision-making bodies

8. 5. Paradoxes and dilemmas
Page 8
Paradoxes Dilemmas
1. Leadership inconsistencies How to identify relevant leadership on
both sides?
2. Cumbersome implementation
structure
Tensions between efficiency, flexibility
and the use of agreed structures.
3. Asymmetries in capacities
- Tensions between asymmetry in
capacities and progress with
implementation;
- Tensions between unlitateral EU
planning and the spirit of the joint and
co-financed partnership.
4. Asymmetries in financing Tensions between EU funding and
limited African co-financing

9. Page 9
EU Budget
EIDHR
CSDP
7th Framework
Programme
(now Horizon
2020)
IfS
EU MS contributions Partnership
Instrument
6. EU Financing of the JAES
European
Development Fund
European
Neighbourhood
Instrument
DCI
- PANAF
- South
Africa
- Thematic
lines
African
Peace
Facility
Africa
EU
Infrastr
ucture
Fund
CFSP

10. • JAES: ambitious political vision and
declaration still needed
• Recent efforts to address potential hurdles:
EPAs, ICC, human rights, invitations
• Two options for the Summit:
7. Towards the Summit
Page 10
1) lower the political
ambition of the JAES
and make it more an
implementation
focused agreement
2) mobilise political
leadership by making
the JAES more
interesting to the
political level.

11. 8. Priorities for the JAES to be considered
by the European Parliament
Page 11
1. Political level and in political declarations
• Identify political leadership and steering
• Commit to co-financed initiatives and joint decision–making on financing
• Alignment on long-term African and European strategies
• Clarify level of intervention: African subisidiarity
2. Quality of dialogue and implementation
• Functional links with existing African and European decision-making
structures
• Create space for informal multi-stakeholder dialogue
3. Monitoring and oversight
Strengthen mechanisms, defining the role of parliaments, civil society, and
other bodies

12. 1. Where are mutual interests?
2. Africa also a land of opportunities
3. Which flagship initiatives should be singled out?
4. Is Europe clear about its strategic interests with
Africa?
5. Whom in Africa and Europe wants Africa to be
treated as one?
6. What after the end of Cotonou agreement in
2020?
9. Way forward: mentalities and attitudes
Page 12

13. Thank you!
www.ecdpm.org
www.slideshare.net/ecdpm
Page 13
Questions to:
Dr. Damien Helly, Policy Officer, ECDPM
dhe@ecdpm.org