Construction of a fiber cable connecting Europe and Africa, an expanded role for the European Union’s border agency in Africa, and progress on reallocation of Special Drawing Rights are among the deliverables being planned for a summit of national leaders from the EU and African Union in Brussels on Feb. 17 to 18.
EU states are still discussing a list of projects, seen by Devex, and refining them through French officials who hold the rotating presidency of the Council of the EU. The AU side is not directly involved in the discussions, though EU documents refer to the AU’s AGENDA 2063 document as proof that the two continents’ interests are aligned.
One “flagship proposal” under consideration would involve “developing the means of cooperation of Frontex with African countries” including “the swift conclusion of working arrangements including provisions on operational cooperation in the field of return, readmission and reintegration with African countries and deployment of EU return liaison officers (EURLO) to reinforce cooperation with national authorities.”