The European and African continents, so near in geographical terms, have had their fair share of cooperation. Throughout the years the European Union has had close relations with its Mediterranean partners and African nations forming part of the African-Caribbean-Pacific (ACP) group. At the start of the millennium, a wider approach was adopted, particularly marked with a summit open to all African leaders and a number of areas identified on which cooperation was favoured. With the establishment of the African Union in 2002, meetings could be better facilitated from both sides.

Between today and Saturday, a forum on media and development is being held jointly by the respective Commissions of the European and African Unions in Burkina Faso. It is intended to throw the spotlight on the media’s role in a country’s development, particularly in terms of promoting better governance and tackling stereotypes. With participation at this meeting expected to attract main actors in the European media industry and related civil society organisations, as well as a number of personalities from the political world on both sides of the Mediterranean, it should hopefully serve as another step forward together.

Perhaps a more ambitious breakthrough was made last Monday with the launching of an Africa-EU energy partnership set to be endorsed by both unions on 1 October. It includes, among others, an agreement to promote inter-connections between the two continents, as well as within Africa, and cooperation on projects which could be of regional interest.

It is also set to initiate a plan for cooperation on renewable energy – a matter of prime importance for Europe with its heavy dependence on traditional sources but also for a developing continent such as Africa with its vast potential for economic growth. Twinning activities in this sector, as well as in energy efficiency and market reform, are set to be in the pipeline. The partnership is also set to work on an Electricity Master-plan for Africa, paving the way for universal electrification across the continent.

With a call for European states as well as the private sector to invest in the energy sector, the need for transparency was also outlined. The joint agreement presented last Monday speaks of national transparency plans and guidelines for energy companies as well as encourages more oil and gas producing countries to associate themselves with the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (EITI). The EITI, which supports the publication and verification of both private sector payments and government revenues, is concerned with good governance and ensuring that the benefits are widespread – fuelling economic growth and alleviating poverty. Conversely the problem of corruption, so often hinted at in this sector, fosters conflict and eats into the financial returns which could be used for the local population.

The next steps following the agreement’s endorsement are a joint expert meeting in Addis Ababa (Ethiopia) and then a Ministerial meeting to be held in November. Energy, as the current situation goes, remains a top priority. This agreement signifies a renewed partnership with our neighbouring continent. It does not promise to be an easy road, yet now that the process has been initiated, it should bode well.

Mr Micallef is Civil Society Coordinator at the Malta-EU Steering and Action Committee (MEUSAC).