Permanent Representation of Luxembourg to the African Union > Actualités > Luxembourg Foreign Minister Jean Asselborn meets the Grou... >
Luxembourg Foreign Minister Jean Asselborn meets the Group of African Ambassadors
Deputy Prime Minister, Foreign Minister Jean Asselborn had a meeting with the group of African ambassadors in Mondorf on 15 October 2010.
The bilateral political and trade relations between Luxembourg and the countries of Africa, regional and international issues, as well as the relations between the European Union (EU) and countries in Africa were on the agenda of the talks.
This annual meeting, held for the second time in this format, testifies to the strong interest of Luxembourg to strengthen its relations with African countries and with the African Union.
In his speech during the meeting, the Foreign Minister of Luxembourg focused on two aspects, namely, relations between the EU and Africa as well as peace and security in Africa.
A few weeks ahead of the third EU-Africa Summit to be held on 29 and 30 November in Tripoli, Libya, Minister Asselborn gave an update of relations between the EU and Africa which have significantly strengthened and institutionalized since the Cairo Summit in 2000. The Minister said it would be important now to continue the current positive dynamics of relations between Europe and Africa, and give it a strategic and political dimension. Referring to the many common interests shared by the EU and the AU, Minister Asselborn also discussed the urgent challenges facing the two partners, namely the consequences of the financial and economic crisis and its impact on developing countries, the fight against climate change and the various threats to global security.
Having himself participated in the Summit of the African Union (AU) in Addis Ababa in Ethiopia in January 2010, Minister Asselborn underlined the strong interest of the Luxembourg in this continental organization, recalling that Luxembourg had accredited last January a non-resident permanent representative to the AU.
Since the year 2010 was declared "Year of Peace and Security" by the African Union, the Foreign Minister of Luxembourg also addressed this topic of common interest. Minister Asselborn recalled Luxembourg’s activities in this area, particularly in support of Somalia, where the Grand Duchy has helped train Somali security forces as part of the training mission deployed by the European Union, in addition to the Luxembourg contribution to the fight against piracy off the Somali coast and beyond. Luxembourg provides in fact three aircrafts to the first EU maritime operation ATALANTA. Other areas discussed were the fight against terrorism and drug trafficking.
Finally, Minister Asselborn stressed the interdependence between peace and development, noting that the peace and security can only be achieved through development. Indeed, the Minister stressed Luxembourg’s commitment as a reliable partner and donor, noting that the official development assistance (ODA) of the Grand Duchy now exceeds 1 percent of gross national income.