Council adopts €1 billion macro-financial assistance to Egypt
The EU will provide €1 billion of urgent short-term macro-financial assistance to Egypt to help stabilise its economy.
EU and Zambia strengthen cooperation on education and research
At the Global Gateway High-Level Event on Education held in Brussels on April 11 2024, European Commissioner Jutta Urpilainen showcased the European Union’s strong commitment to invest in quality education for all, signing with the Honourable Minister of Education Douglas Syakalima an agreement to work together to implement €110 million in EU grant funding for the benefit of Zambia’s National Development Plan and Free Education Initiative. The funds will help enhance the quality of primary and secondary education, reduce girls’ dropout rate, increase accessibility for learners with disabilities, and boost early childhood education and development in the Luapula and North-Western Provinces.
EU and Nigeria boost cooperation on research and learning mobility
On April 11 2024, at the Global Gateway High-Level Event on Education in Brussels, European Commissioner Jutta Urpilainen showcased the European Union’s strong commitment to education and health equity, signing with Didi Esther Walson-Jack, Permanent Secretary of Nigeria’s Federal Ministry of Education, a cooperation agreement on €18 million EU support to enhance research and development capacities for implementing Nigeria’s national plan for the pharmaceutical industry and local production of vaccines and medical technologies.
Global Gateway: The EU launches new regional initiatives in Africa to boost youth mobility and skills, including the unique Africa-Europe Youth Academy
On April 11 2024 at the Global Gateway High-Level Event on Education in Brussels, European Commissioner for International Partnerships Jutta Urpilainen launched new regional programmes boosting youth mobility and skills in Africa.
The Team Europe Initiative on Opportunity-driven Skills and Vocational Education and Training, the Africa-Europe Youth Academy and 15 new projects under the flagship Youth Mobility for Africa highlight the EU’s commitment to empowering African youth with education.
EU Ambassadors (COREPER I) found qualified majority on Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence and amending Directive
On March 15, 2024, the Committee of the Permanent Representatives of the Governments of the Member States to the European Union (COREPER I), endorsed the final compromise text on Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence and amending Directive.
Following the trialogue between the representatives of the three insitutitions held on 13 December 2023, a draft overall compromise package was agreed by the Permanent Representatives' Committee.
Global Gateway: Over €200 million allocated to boost Uganda’s economy and create new jobs
During the high-level Business Forum “Boosting Trade and Investment. What can Uganda gain from the Global Gateway?”, held on March 6, 2024, eight new projects with a total financial envelope of over €200 million have been launched to support small business owners, young female entrepreneurs, agribusinesses as well as vital digital infrastructure projects in full Team Europe format with the European Investment Bank (EIB) and several Member States.
EU and Rwanda sign a Memorandum of Understanding on Sustainable Raw Materials Value Chains
On February 19 2024, the European Union and Rwanda have entered an important agreement to nurture sustainable and resilient value chains for critical raw materials. Commissioner for International Partnerships, Jutta Urpilainen, and Rwanda's Minister of Foreign Affairs, Vincent Biruta, signed a Memorandum of Understanding to strengthen Rwanda's role in fostering sustainable development and resilient value chains across Africa.
The European Union continues to implement the Memorandum of Understanding with Tunisia with the disbursement of EUR 150 million in financial support
The European Union maintains its commitment to Tunisia through the disbursement of financial aid in the form of budgetary support worth EUR 150 million under the support programme for macroeconomic reforms by Tunisia(programme d'appui aux réformes macro-économiques de la Tunisie (PARME)) approved by the EU and Tunisia in December 2023.
The European Commission launches new migration partnership with Mauritania
On March 7 2024, the European Union has strengthened the cooperation between EU and Mauritania by launching a migration partnership and dialogue. Commissioner for Home Affairs, Ylva Johansson together with the Mauritanian Minister of Interior and Decentralisation, Mohamed Ahmed Ould Mohamed Lemine, have signed a Joint Declaration launching an EU-Mauritania migration partnership.
EU-Angola: Council gives final greenlight to the EU’s first sustainable investment facilitation agreement
On 4 March 2024, the Council adopted a decision on the conclusion of the sustainable investment facilitation agreement (SIFA) between the European Union and Angola. This agreement will make it easier to attract and expand investments while integrating environment and labour rights commitments in the EU-Angola relationship.