The meeting brings together foreign affairs ministers from both continents to discuss COVID-19 response and recovery as well as building resilience.

Ministers attending the meeting on 25th and 26th October 2021, are expected to exchange views on the EU-AU partnership and how to strengthen cooperation.

Discussions will also revolve around various topics including the response to and recovery from the Covid-19 pandemic as well as building resilience.

Other areas of interest are investing in the digital and green transitions, peace, security and global governance, migration and mobility, education, science, technology and skills development.

The ministers who held talks with Dr. Biruta on Monday 25th October 2021 include his counterpart of Denmark, Danemark, Jeppe Kofod; Gordan Grlić Radman of Croatia; Christophe Lutundula of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), and Gen Jeje Odongo of Uganda.

Minister Biruta also met with Martin Tlapa, the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Czech Republic and Poland Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, Marcin Przydacz.

Discussions revolved around deepening bilateral relations and cooperation, strengthening political and economic cooperation, cooperation in education, trade and climate change.

As she opened the AU-EU ministerial meeting on Monday; the Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Clementine Mukeka said that it is an occasion to strengthen existing cooperation and explore new potential areas.

“It also an opportunity to reflect on the AU-EU relationship and propose areas for improvement,” she stressed.

Africa and the European Union enjoy partnership in different development areas.

Figures from EU show that Europe exported goods worth Euro 124 billion to Africa while Africa’s exports to EU are estimated at Euro 101 billion in 2020.

Minister Biruta holding talks with his counterpart of DRC.

Minister Biruta with his counterpart of Croatia.

Dr. Biruta also held talks with the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Denmark.

Discussions revolved around deepening bilateral relations and cooperation, strengthening political and economic cooperation, cooperation in education, trade and climate change.