BRUSSELS — When is a strategy not a strategy? Answer: When it is “Towards a comprehensive strategy.” At least, that’s how the European Commission and European External Action Service couched their latest vision for Africa, released Monday.
What began as a mission to define a strategy for EU-Africa relations within the new commission’s first 100 days is now portrayed as just the first step in an ornate diplomatic dance, set to culminate in an October summit between the African Union and the EU.
It is also the first test for Jutta Urpilainen, the former Finnish finance minister and now EU commissioner for international partnerships, who oversaw the document together with Josep Borrell, the EU’s high representative for foreign affairs and security policy.