Relations between the European Union (EU) and Africa are the focus of a new publication from Brussels about the progress achieved on co-operation plans.

These include efforts to combat human trafficking through regional networks and funding to support migration, mobility and employment policies, including €1.5 million to establish the EU African Diaspora Network and €1.7 million to support the African Remittances Institute.

A total of 80 heads of state and governments from both continents agreed at the Lisbon Summit in December 2007 to adopt the Joint Africa-EU Strategy (JAES) and the first Action Plan has been enacted.

Regular meetings of the European and African Union Commissions have been held to push forward relations, with additional actions taken to date including improved political dialogue on a range of levels, co-operation on electoral observation and the launch of regional trade programs.

Commissioners from Europe and Africa are meeting on June 8th in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia to discuss the JAES, assess the first Action Plan and prepare for the future of the strategic partnership.

Edited by Sarah Dixon