Pan-African and European Parliaments Open Historic Preparatory Meeting in Midrand Ahead of AU–EU Summit

The Pan-African Parliament (PAP) and the European Parliament (EP) on Friday opened a landmark Preparatory Meeting for the African Union–European Union Summit Parliamentary Meeting, held at the PAP precincts in Midrand. The gathering marks a decisive moment in the 25-year Africa–Europe partnership, convening the two continental legislatures under the theme “Renewing Africa–Europe Parliamentary Cooperation in a Changing Global Context.”

Bringing Two Continental Legislatures Together

The meeting, hosted by the Pan-African Parliament, brought together members of both institutions, senior officials from the European Parliament, and representatives of the host government of South Africa, including Ms. Sybil Machako, Acting Director at the Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO).

Opening the ceremony, Ms. Lindiwe Khumalo, Clerk of the Pan-African Parliament, welcomed delegates on behalf of PAP President H.E. Chief Fortune Charumbira and the Bureau, describing the event as “a unique and historic bilateral engagement” intended to formulate a shared parliamentary message ahead of the AU–EU Heads of State and Government Summit later this month in Luanda, Angola.

She outlined the programme, noting that the one-and-a-half-day meeting would be delivered in four working languages: English, French, Portuguese, and Arabic, and would culminate in a set of parliamentary recommendations for the forthcoming Summit.

Chief Charumbira: ‘Resuscitating a Vital Partnership’

Declaring the meeting open, H.E. Chief Fortune Charumbira described the occasion as unprecedented in the history of the Midrand Parliament.

“This is a very unique and, I would say, first-ever such gathering in this Chamber,” he said. “The Pan-African Parliament and the European Parliament are the two prime continental parliaments in the world, each founded on legal instruments endorsed by their member states. We are not a mere forum of parliaments, but law-making institutions with solid mandates to shape continental governance.”

Charumbira commended the European Parliament delegation, led by H.E. Mr. Younous Omarjee, Vice-President of the European Parliament, and called for the “resuscitation” of Africa–Europe parliamentary relations, which had slowed in recent years. He urged both parliaments to stand as defenders of multilateralism at a time of global disorder, noting that parliamentary diplomacy is essential to sustaining democracy and accountability.

“If we allow parliaments to weaken, democracy and transparency will collapse,” he cautioned. “We must strengthen one another, build legislative bridges, and ensure that our partnership delivers results for the people of both continents.”

Charumbira outlined the key priorities for the discussions: reviewing 25 years of the AU–EU partnership; shaping a new Africa–EU Strategy; and ensuring that parliamentary perspectives are reflected in issues of peace and security, governance, trade, mineral resources, and the implementation of Agenda 2063.

He called for deeper cooperation on legislation, suggesting that PAP and EP committees share draft laws such as PAP’s recent Model Law on Gender Equality and Equity, so that both institutions can develop harmonized frameworks with cross-continental relevance.

Vice-President Omarjee: ‘A Renewed, Equitable Partnership’

Responding on behalf of the European Parliament, H.E. Mr. Younous Omarjee, Vice-President of the European Parliament, expressed profound appreciation to PAP for its hospitality and leadership, describing the meeting as “a long-awaited and historic encounter.”

Speaking partly in French, he emphasized the urgency of redefining Africa–Europe relations in light of shifting global geopolitics and new demographic realities:

“Our relationship can no longer be thought of in the patterns of the past. It must be renewed, equitable, ambitious, and founded on co-responsibility and loyalty.”

He pointed to the AU Agenda 2063, the Joint AU–EU Vision 2030, and the UN Pact for the Future 2030 as shared roadmaps for cooperation, adding that demographic change: Africa’s projected 2.5 billion people by 2050, rising to 4 billion by 2100, makes the partnership strategically indispensable.

Omarjee called for the inclusion of youth, women, and civil society in Africa–EU dialogue and reaffirmed the European Parliament’s support for Africa’s full representation in global governance, including reform of the United Nations Security Council.

“Africa must have a full and equal voice in international decision-making: not as an invited guest, but as a rightful decision-maker,” he declared. “Our partnership must move beyond aid towards mutual respect, shared prosperity, and sustainable development.”

He further stressed that peace and security remain the foundation of all development, citing conflicts in Sudan, Somalia, the Democratic Republic of Congo, and Ukraine as reminders of the urgent need for collective action and renewed commitment to multilateralism.

The European Parliament Vice President also pledged the institution’s support for Africa's quest for membership in the United Nations Security Council, emphasizing that Europe stands firmly behind Africa’s demand for full and equal representation in international decision-making.

Shared Priorities and Parliamentary Diplomacy

Both leaders underscored that the Midrand meeting would develop joint recommendations on:

·       Peace, Security, and Governance – defending multilateralism and rule of law;

·       Trade and Sustainable Growth – aligning Europe’s Global Gateway with Africa’s development priorities and the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA);

·       Youth and Migration – framing balanced and humane mobility policies; and

·       Legislative Cooperation – fostering exchange of model laws and institutional strengthening.

Chief Charumbira welcomed the European Parliament’s pledge to support African-led peace efforts, describing it as “encouraging and historic.” He reaffirmed that both parliaments must move “from dialogue to tangible results” through joint committee work and sustained engagement.

A Partnership Rooted in Equality

The ceremony concluded with a symbolic exchange of gifts and a family photograph on the PAP lawns, followed by the start of closed-door deliberations. Both sides hailed the gathering as a rebirth of parliamentary cooperation between the two continents: one grounded in equality, mutual respect, and a shared vision of global justice.

“This meeting is about two continents, two parliaments, and one common future,” said Chief Charumbira. “We are united by the belief that when Africa and Europe stand together, democracy and humanity are strengthened.”