Role of the EU delegation to the African Union
The EU delegation to the AU will:
- help coordinate EU policy and action relating to the AU, and relations between the broader partner group and the AU
- maintain close contact with the AU Commission and its other institutions, and the representative offices of African sub-regional organisations and AU countries
- help, advise and support the AU on request, in all areas outlined in the Africa-EU strategy (e.g. development and implementation)
- monitor and report on all relevant AU developments
- assist the EU's political dialogue and broader relationship with the AU
| The African Union (AU) is a key international partner to the EU, and a strategic player in managing crises and promoting peace, stability, democracy, human rights and development on the continent. |
| In some areas, including agriculture and environment, the AU acts as a standard setter, while in others (e.g. migration) it increasingly acts as spokesperson for Africa. |
| The Joint Africa-EU strategy (2007) sets out both sides' intention to move beyond donor/recipient models towards working together on jointly identified, mutual and complementary interests. |
| EU support under the strategy will increasingly work towards Africa-led and -owned approaches, strengthening the primary responsibility of African governments for the issues in question. |
Koen Vervaeke, EU Special Representative to the African Union.