By Bunmi Yekini
ADDIS ABABA —The European Parliament has opened its first-ever permanent representation office in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, cementing a renewed commitment to strengthening ties with the African Union ahead of the upcoming EU-AU ministerial meeting on May 21.
The initiative was announced during a three-day official visit by Younous Omarjee, Vice-President of the European Parliament in charge of Africa, who described the move as “a new step in the consolidation of a partnership based on trust, stability and shared interests.”
“This initiative represents a new step in the consolidation of a partnership based on trust, stability and shared interests,” Omarjee said. “Africa is a major geopolitical priority for the European Union.”
The visit, which took place from May 14 to 16, is the first by a high-level European Parliament official since the establishment of the new Commissions of both the African Union and the European Union. It comes at a pivotal time, as the two blocs mark 25 years of diplomatic relations and face growing global instability.
Omarjee met with top AU leaders, including Commission President Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, Vice-President Selma Malika Haddadi, and Commissioners Moses Vilakati and Bankole Adeoye. He also extended an invitation from EU Parliament President Roberta Metsola for the AU Commission President to address a future session in Strasbourg.
He emphasized that with the apparent withdrawal of the United States from the African continent, the European Union intends to remain a “stable and reliable partner,” particularly as Africa confronts multiple humanitarian and security challenges.
Conflict resolution and EU financial support in Somalia, Sudan, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo featured prominently in the discussions. Omarjee affirmed that the European Parliament, as the EU’s budgetary authority, “will exert its full weight” in negotiations on the next Multiannual Financial Framework to ensure continued support for Africa.
Additionally, the Vice-President expressed support for strengthening the Pan-African Parliament, noting: “The strengthening of the European Union has been achieved through the strengthening of the European Parliament. The African Union could also use the strengthening of its democratic base to reinforce the Pan-African Parliament. We stand ready to support the choices they make.”
In separate meetings with Ethiopian Foreign Minister Gedion Timothewos and the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tagesse Chaffo, Omarjee highlighted Ethiopia’s strategic importance to the EU in peacebuilding, regional stability, and investment.
Speaking on behalf of EU Parliament President Metsola at a preparatory meeting ahead of the ministerial summit, Omarjee called for deeper cooperation between the two continents.
“In this period of geopolitical uncertainty, the European Union and the African Union must jointly defend multilateralism, international law, justice and peace,” he said. “The partnership between the African Union and the European Union must be strengthened to become a real geopolitical priority for both continents.”
As South Africa prepares to host the G20 later this year, Omarjee urged both blocs to seize the opportunity to advocate for reforms in global governance that give Africa its rightful place on the world stage.