Last week, EU and African Union leaders met in Brussels, and the Renew Europe Group in the European Parliament welcomes the conclusions of the summit.

EU-AU cooperation is critical for our shared future and both European and African partners put constructive dialogue at the heart of last weeks’ summit.

In particular, Renew Europe welcomes the announcement of an Africa-Europe Investment Package of at least €150 billion, which is an opportunity to boost sustainable investment, support the digital and energy transitions, health and education systems and to fight climate change.

The EU needs to promote better access to healthcare and, most notably, better and fairer access to vaccines in Africa. Currently, only 12% of the African population is fully vaccinated against COVID-19, as compared to 81.4% of Europeans. Therefore, Renew Europe welcomes the European and African ambition to ensure a fair and equitable access to vaccines. The EU was the first region in the world to export COVID-19 vaccines to other continents, and Africa is the main beneficiary. Europe can be proud but must continue to do more.

Renew Europe also welcomes conclusions on the need to cooperate more and more effectively to address various challenges such as migration, trade and security and peace in Africa. There is no stability without security; there is no progress without stability.

The EU and AU have the key to build a stronger and more strategic partnership with a sense of belonging and inclusivity.

Chrysoula Zacharopoulou MEP (En Marche, FR), Vice-Chair of the European Parliament Committee on Development and Vice-Chair of the COVAX Shareholders Council declared:
"Europe wants a renewed partnership with Africa on health, and this crisis should be a springboard for it. Africa is now building its health sovereignty. Europe is its leading supporter to help strengthening production capacities, and in particular enabling technology transfers. The success of our renewed partnership is EU support for African solutions."

Charles Goerens MEP (DP, LU), Renew Europe Coordinator in the European Parliament Committee on Development added: "The cooperation announced in the field of health is an essential step towards greater sovereignty for Africa in this area."