The Minister of Foreign Affairs of Portugal, João Gomes Cravinho, defended this Thursday the deepening of relations between Europe and Africa, arguing that “times of disruption favor involvement, diversification and integration” between the two continents.
There are three crucial dimensions that must continue to be the anchor of European relations with Africa: involvement, diversification and integration”, said João Gomes Cravinho, in the opening speech of the Eurafrica Forum, which takes place today and Friday in Carcavelos, in the outskirts of Lisbon.
In his speech, the minister reviewed the main aspects of relations between the two continents, highlighting the advantages of deepening the relationship between Europe and Africa and showing that the link between the two economic blocs is mutually advantageous.
Regarding the deepening of the involvement that he considered necessary, the The official acknowledged that “Africa today is a key scenario of conflicting interests and geopolitical rivalries”exemplifying the holding of the second Russia-Africa summit next year and the US-Africa summit in Washington in December, in addition to China, which “continues to hold a high-level dialogue” with African leaders.
European governments, he noted, have increased engagement with the continent, which is “an opportunity to seize because it is a prerequisite for a higher and deeper level of understanding, which in turn is the basis for doing more and better together.” ”. she defended.
Gomes Cravinho listed as main weaknesses growing food insecurity, underdeveloped health capacities, the first recession in more than 25 years, a growing and unsustainable debt burden, the need to diversify European energy providers, and global vulnerability to disinformation about the conflict in Ukraine and vaccination against Covid-19.
In the opening speech of the Eurafrica Forum, Gomes Cravinho also emphasized that “in times of disruption, Africa and Europe can come together and invest at the right scale to build capacities and respond to pressing deficits.”
It is necessary, wrinkled, “Increasing the productive capacity of Africaincluding products with higher added value”, concluding that “geographical proximity, the solid historical track record of investment in development and the shared linguistic environment make Africa a competitive production platform for Europe, compared to more distant locations”.
Source: Observadora
