The 4th Africa-European Union (EU) Summit with the theme ‘Investing in People, Prosperity and Peace’ is underway in Brussels.

Leading the South African delegation is Maite Nkoana-Mashabane, International Relations and Cooperation Minister.

According to the Department of International Relations, the summit affords Africa and Europe the opportunity to further strengthen political and socio-economic cooperation between the two continents.

High on the agenda will be peace and security, trade and investment, human development and the future institutional and financial arrangements of the Africa-EU Partnership.

Leaders from the two continents are also expected to use the opportunity to stocktake what has been achieved over the past three years, as guided by the Africa-EU Action Plan 2010-2013. The action plans was adopted at the 3rd Africa-EU Summit in Libya in November 2010.

Issues concerning the financing of priority projects aimed at meeting the developmental challenges of Africa will also be addressed.

Agreements that are to be signed during the meeting include the Brussels Declaration of the Heads of State and Government, which is the main outcome document for the 4th Africa-EU Summit; the Africa-EU Roadmap; and the Declaration on Migration and Mobility.

Minister Nkoana-Mashabane is expected to hold bilateral consultations with her counterparts from Africa and Europe on the sidelines of the summit.

The delegation includes Trade and Industry Minister Dr Rob Davies.

Source – SAnews.gov.za