The European Commission launches new migration partnership with Mauritania
On May 7, 2024, the European Union is strengthening the cooperation between EU and Mauritania by launching a migration partnership and dialogue. Commissioner for Home Affairs, Ylva Johansson together with the Mauritanian Minister of Interior and Decentralisation, Mohamed Ahmed Ould Mohamed Lemine, have signed a Joint Declaration launching an EU-Mauritania migration partnership.
EU-Kenya: Council takes final step to allow the implementation of the Economic Partnership Agreement
The Council adopted on May 30, 2024, a decision on the conclusion of the EU-Kenya Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA). This will boost trade in goods and create new economic opportunities, with targeted cooperation to enhance Kenya's economic development.
BEI Monde : signature d’un contrat de financement de 20 M€ avec la BCI pour soutenir les entreprises mauritaniennes.
Suite à la visite ce jour de la Présidente de la Commission européenne Ursula von der Leyen en Mauritanie, durant laquelle elle a salué un renforcement du partenariat UE-Mauritanie, M. Isselmou Ould Tajidine, Président de la Banque pour le Commerce et l’Industrie (BCI) et M. Markus Berndt, Directeur exécutif de la BEI Monde, la nouvelle branche de la BEI dédiée au développement de la BEI, ont signé un contrat de financement d’un montant de 20 millions d’euros en présence de la Commission européenne, avec la possibilité d’une tranche additionnelle de 5 millions d’euros. L’objectif de ce nouveau financement est de renforcer le soutien aux Petites et Moyennes Entreprises (PME) et aux Entreprises de Taille Intermédiaire (ETI) de Mauritanie avec le concours du Fonds européen de développement durable plus (EFSD+). Une attention particulière sera portée aux jeunes et aux femmes en termes d’entreprenariat et d’accès au financement, de formation et d’emploi.
Mozambique: Council extends the mandate of the EU training mission until 2026 and paves the way for its evolution into a EU Military Assistance Mission
The Council today prolonged the mandate of the EU Training Mission in Mozambique, until 30 June 2026, with a budget allocation of over €14 million for this period.
Furthermore, the Council decided to adapt the strategic objectives of the mission to new circumstances, thereby favouring its transition from a training to an assistance model, combining advising, mentoring and specialised training in support of the units of the Quick Reaction Force (QRF) of the Mozambican armed forces.
Corporate sustainability due diligence: Council gives its final approval
The Council has formally adopted the corporate sustainability due diligence directive on May 24, 2024. This is the last step in the decision-making procedure.
The directive adopted today introduces obligations for large companies regarding adverse impacts of their activities on human rights and environmental protection. It also lays down the liabilities linked to these obligations. The rules concern not only the companies’ operations, but also the activities of their subsidiaries, and those of their business partners along the companies’ chain of activities.
Commission reports on thirteenth negotiation round with five Eastern and Southern African countries to deepen existing EPA
The European Commission has published a report summarising progress made during the latest negotiation round to deepen the existing Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) with five Eastern and Southern African partners.
EU support to Somalia: Council approves further support under the European Peace Facility to the Somali National Army and to the military component of the African Union Transition Mission in Somalia
The Political and Security Committee of the Council of the EU has approved additional support for the Somali National Army (SNA) and for the military component of the African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS). Both actions aim at contributing to the handover of security responsibilities from ATMIS to the SNA, by allowing the former to fulfil its mandate while strengthening the capacities of the latter.
Council adopts €1 billion macro-financial assistance to Egypt
The EU will provide €1 billion of urgent short-term macro-financial assistance to Egypt to help stabilise its economy.
EU and Zambia strengthen cooperation on education and research
At the Global Gateway High-Level Event on Education held in Brussels on April 11 2024, European Commissioner Jutta Urpilainen showcased the European Union’s strong commitment to invest in quality education for all, signing with the Honourable Minister of Education Douglas Syakalima an agreement to work together to implement €110 million in EU grant funding for the benefit of Zambia’s National Development Plan and Free Education Initiative. The funds will help enhance the quality of primary and secondary education, reduce girls’ dropout rate, increase accessibility for learners with disabilities, and boost early childhood education and development in the Luapula and North-Western Provinces.
EU and Nigeria boost cooperation on research and learning mobility
On April 11 2024, at the Global Gateway High-Level Event on Education in Brussels, European Commissioner Jutta Urpilainen showcased the European Union’s strong commitment to education and health equity, signing with Didi Esther Walson-Jack, Permanent Secretary of Nigeria’s Federal Ministry of Education, a cooperation agreement on €18 million EU support to enhance research and development capacities for implementing Nigeria’s national plan for the pharmaceutical industry and local production of vaccines and medical technologies.