Committee on Foreign Affairs
“A Relationship in Crisis: While the EU faces difficulties in asserting influence in Africa, other countries’ impact continues to strive, as seen in projects like the Chinese Belt and Road Initiative. However, African nations remain pivotal for the EU in addressing, amongst others, migration and economic interests. How can the EU fortify and rejuvenate its relationship with the continent?”
Julia Davies (NL), Adam Elfeki (NL/CZ), Xavier Henry-Micah (CY), Amy Piwowarek (NL), Yara van Raan (NL), Victoria van der Goes (NL), Susan van der Weele (NL), Florentine Smit (NL), Fynn Woerlee (NL), Júlia Peña (ES, Chairperson)
The European Youth Parliament aims to improve the relations between the African continent and the European Union. Its aim is to cultivate a mutually beneficial relationship between the EU and Africa grounded in trust and tangible results. In doing so, it aims to acknowledge historical legacies of colonialism, while working towards a cooperative future.
The above is decided upon because
- Historical legacies of colonialism and exploitation continue to influence interactions between the EU and Africa.
- Collaboration between the EU and Africa is imperative to address global problems like climate change and promote sustainable development.
- The lack of ample opportunities for cultural and knowledge exchange between citizens of Europe and Africa impedes the fostering of diplomatic and social connections between the two regions;
- Illegal migration flows originating from Africa pose a critical challenge for social and political dynamics between the Member States and African nations.
- There is a lack of regular high-level dialogue between the EU and the African Union (AU) on key matters such as migration, global governance and sustainable development.
- The rise in competition from global powers such as China through the Belt and Road Initiative confronts the EU with growing challenges in defining its unique geopolitical role in Africa and designing joint-development strategies.
- China’s economic and political influence in Africa is often viewed more positively by its citizens than that of formal colonial powers.
- Armed conflicts and terrorism contribute to the political and economic instability of African nations, impeding the maintenance and strengthening of their international relations.
To that end, the European Youth Parliament
- Calls upon Member States to address historical legacies of colonialism through symbolic acts such as the return of stolen artefacts and the acknowledgment of colonial atrocities;
- Invites the European Investment Bank (EIB) to provide incentives for economic development of African nations, for instance, by reducing the conditionality on loans;
- Further requests the EIB to increase financing for development projects in Africa that promote education and job creation;
- Urges the European Commission to promote Afro-European climate cooperation by organising regular dialogue between the AU and the EU specifically focused on climate change;
- Encourages the European Commission to boost cultural and knowledge exchange between African and European states by expanding subsidised exchange programs for high school and university students, as well as professors;
- Requests the Member States to ease their migration requirements for people from Africa in order to incentivise people to refrain from illegally migrating to the EU;
- Further encourages the EU and the AU to ensure continuous dialogue through annual EU-AU summits;
- Recommends the Joint Research Center of the EU to assess the extent of Chinese influence in Africa;
- Calls upon the Directorate-General for Communication to develop awareness campaigns aimed at African citizens, highlighting the EU’s commitment to collaborative development and cultural preservation initiatives with Africa;
- Encourages Member States to conduct joint military training together with African nations to foster capabilities in combating terrorism and armed conflict in Africa.