AU Commissioner for Peace and Security receives EU Director for East and Southern Africa and ACP Coordination

ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia, November 28, 2013/African Press Organization (APO)/ — The African Union (AU) Commissioner for Peace and Security, Ambassador Smail Chergui, on 27 November 2013, received the European Union (EU) Director for East and Southern Africa and African Caribbean and Pacific Coordination (ACP), Ms Francesca Mosca.

The meeting offered both parties an opportunity to discuss EU support to the AU’s efforts to promote peace, security and stability in Africa, and Commissioner Chergui renewed the expression of the AU’s appreciation for the EU’s sustained support.

In light of the possible reduction of EU financial support to the AU in the area of peace and security after 2014, both parties agreed on the urgent imperative to explore alternative sources of funding for AU peacekeeping and peace support operations. In that regard, Commissioner Chergui assured Director Mosca of the AU’s commitment to generate greater intra-African support for the continent’s endeavors in conflict resolution, management and post-conflict reconstruction, notably through the African Solidarity Initiative (ASI). He expressed the hope that the upcoming African Solidarity Conference, and ongoing discussions with bilateral and multilateral partners, will help generate additional and sustained funding for AU peace and security efforts in the continent.

Both parties exchanged views on several topical issues of mutual interest relevant to the mandate of the AU Peace and Security Department, in particular on the situation in Somalia and the forthcoming Africa – EU Summit scheduled to take place in Brussels from 2-3 April 2013. Finally, both parties agreed on the need for continuous close collaboration and coordination of AU and EU efforts to promote peace, security and stability in Africa.