Blanar Highlights Need for Greater Cooperation Between EU and African Countries

Bratislava/Brussels, 21 May (TASR) - EU foreign ministers attended the third EU-African Union (AU) ministerial meeting in Brussels on Wednesday, with Slovak Foreign Minister Juraj Blanar highlighting the need for closer cooperation with African countries in areas such as peace initiatives, security, multilateralism, and migration, TASR has learnt from the Slovak ministry's communications department. According to Blanar, war conflicts, instability, and poor living conditions contribute to migration, which negatively affects the EU. "If this region isn't stable, we can't expect illegal migration to decrease. It's therefore necessary to work towards ending conflicts, creating space for African countries to develop, so that their people don't feel the need to leave their home countries. This is a path that will take several decades, but it's the only sustainable way," Blanar said. Europe remains the largest investor and trade and development partner of Africa. "Key European initiatives, such as the Global Gateway programme, which aims to mobilise around €150 billion for investments in specific development projects in individual African countries, are an important tool linking investment and development cooperation. This is where Slovakia can be active, engaging our business sector in green energy, cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, health care, and other areas where we can establish mutually beneficial partnerships," Blanar noted. In Brussels, the Slovak minister also held bilateral talks with the foreign ministers of Ethiopia, Rwanda, the Central African Republic, and Algeria. Algerian Minister Ahmed Attaf confirmed a visit to Slovakia in the near future. "Algeria is the seventh largest exporter of natural gas with a direct pipeline connection through Italy to Austria. We see potential here in terms of diversifying natural gas imports," Blanar said. The Slovak minister informed about Slovakia's intention to become a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council for 2028-2029 in order to gain support for this candidacy. lin