FROM DEPENDENCY TO PARTNERSHIP: WHERE ARE AU–EU RELATIONS HEADING?

This policy brief by the South African Institute of International Affairs examines the evolution of relations between the African Union (AU) and the European Union (EU), arguing that the relationship remains a model of dependency rather than a true partnership. It analyzes the history of various conventions and agreements, evaluates the Joint Africa–EU Strategy (JAES), and discusses the priorities of the fifth AU–EU Summit held in Abidjan in November 2017, specifically regarding youth, migration, and investment.

• The relationship between the AU and the EU is characterized as a dependency model rather than a true partnership, as the EU continues to determine the agenda and the scope of financial assistance.
• Historical frameworks, specifically the Lomé Convention (1975–2000), entrenched a relationship of dependency through non-reciprocal trade where ACP countries relied on duty-free access to European markets.
• Transitioning to reciprocal economic partnership agreements (EPAs) under the Cotonou Agreement has been difficult; as of October 2017, only 13 countries had concluded an EPA with the EU, with SADC being the only region to do so (though some SADC members are excluded).
• The Joint Africa–EU Strategy (JAES), established at the 2007 Lisbon Summit, has seen weak implementation, with only 40% of its intended activities having taken place.
• The fifth AU–EU Summit in Abidjan (November 2017) focused on 'Harnessing the Demographic Dividend through Investments in the Youth', linking youth opportunities to the EU's migration crisis and the need for value chain creation and energy grid investment in Africa.
• African leaders have expressed concerns that the EU Emergency Trust Fund for Africa (EUTF), established via the 2015 Valletta Dialogue, represents an EU-imposed migration agenda due to a lack of African input in its design.
• To move toward a genuine partnership, the author recommends that the AU submit its own proposed agendas to the EU, pursue self-financing mechanisms to end donor dependency, and empower youth to engage in high-level dialogues.

APA

Bertelsmann-Scott, T. (2017). FROM DEPENDENCY TO PARTNERSHIP: WHERE ARE AU–EU RELATIONS HEADING? South African Institute of International Affairs. https://saiia.org.za/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/Policy-Briefing-167.pdf

Chicago

Bertelsmann-Scott, Talitha. FROM DEPENDENCY TO PARTNERSHIP: WHERE ARE AU–EU RELATIONS HEADING? South African Institute of International Affairs, 2017. https://saiia.org.za/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/Policy-Briefing-167.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |last1=Bertelsmann-Scott |first1=Talitha |title=FROM DEPENDENCY TO PARTNERSHIP: WHERE ARE AU–EU RELATIONS HEADING? |publisher=South African Institute of International Affairs |date=November 2017 |url=https://saiia.org.za/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/Policy-Briefing-167.pdf |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{bertelsmannscott2017from, author = {Bertelsmann-Scott, Talitha}, title = {{FROM DEPENDENCY TO PARTNERSHIP: WHERE ARE AU–EU RELATIONS HEADING?}}, institution = {South African Institute of International Affairs}, year = {2017}, month = nov, url = {https://saiia.org.za/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/Policy-Briefing-167.pdf}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }