Article source
Devex
Article date
Tue, Dec 5, 2017
ABIDJAN — As the curtain closed on the first-ever AU-EU Summit in Abidjan last Thursday, mixed reviews on the productivity and any concrete pathway ahead lingered.
Host country President Alassane Ouattara called discussions “constructive” during the closing ceremony, and said that conversations extended beyond a donor-recipient tone, and leaned more towards a collaborative effort to build and strengthen partnerships.
This year’s meetings emphasized the importance of the input of African leaders to develop comprehensive AU-EU solutions, rather than others advising African leaders on how to respond to African issues. During the week, several leaders remarked on Europe’s renewed vision for a more mutually beneficial relationship with Africa.