The European Union's relations with the African continent face particular challenges. Unexpectedly, the negotiations between the partners are now being put through a special rehearsal. The global spread of COVID-19 has led to economic crises in Europe, China and the USA, as well as on the African continent. This economic crisis also affects the EU's external trade relations with Africa. The EU-African Union Summit, scheduled for October 2020, will be overshadowed by the global coronavirus crisis. Both EU and African institutions consider the economic and health crisis to be more serious than the 2008/2009 financial crisis. The consequences of the crisis for the African continent are so far-reaching that cooperation between Africa and the EU must also be readjusted.

The EU and African countries are in the process of negotiating two major strategic partnerships. One is the Towards a Comprehensive Strategy with Africa (CSA) document presented by the EU Commission for the negotiations with African countries. The other is what is referred to as the »post-Cotonou pro- cess«. It is not yet known when the negotiations between the ACP (African, Caribbean and Pacific Group of States) and the European Union will be concluded. Originally, it was planned that the Cotonou Agreement would be transformed into a revised accord by mid-2020.

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