German foreign minister seeks EU, AU unity against Putin, others

Admin l Friday, January 13, 2023

 

ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia –  German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock on Friday called for closer cooperation between the European Union and the African Union to respond to crises in the world, including Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, climate change and food shortages.

In a speech to African Union (AU) leaders at the group’s headquarters in the Ethiopian capital Addis Ababa, Baerbock said Germany, France and other European countries are counting on support from Africa.

“We as Europeans need the support of our friends and partners worldwide in times when peace in Europe has been attacked by the Russian war of aggression,” she remarked.

Baerbock also called for African Union support for reforms to the United Nations Security Council that would add additional permanent seats to the body, including two for Africa. Baerbock said Europeans and Africans are neighbours not only geographically but also in their hearts.

Baerbock spoke alongside French Foreign Minister Catherine Colonna and AU Chairman Moussa Faki Mahamat. Colonna also emphasized the importance of multilateral cooperation and the necessity of United Nations reforms.

The French minister said Russia’s invasion of Ukraine threatens fundamental principles enshrined in the UN charter. She also highlighted long-standing cooperation between the EU and AU in Somalia as well as French and German efforts to combat violence and terror in the Sahel.

Colonna called it an “injustice” that Africa is not permanently represented on the UN Security Council even though 70% of the Security Council’s work relates to the continent.