PAP and European Parliament Adopt Landmark Joint Declaration in Luanda Ahead of 7th AU–EU Summit

The Pan-African Parliament (PAP) and the European Parliament (EP) have jointly reaffirmed their commitment to a renewed, values-based partnership between Africa and Europe with the adoption of a far-reaching Joint Declaration presented on Monday in Luanda, Angola. The document follows the AU–EU Parliamentary Pre-Summit Meeting held in Midrand, South Africa, from 14–15 November 2025, and is being tabled ahead of the 7th African Union–European Union Summit.

The Declaration was formally presented by H.E. Chief Fortune Charumbira, President of the Pan-African Parliament, and H.E. Younous Omarjee, Vice-President of the European Parliament, underscoring the growing centrality of parliamentary diplomacy in shaping continental and intercontinental cooperation.

The Joint Declaration reflects the shared aspiration of both parliaments to deepen collaboration, strengthen oversight, and ensure that the voices and priorities of African and European citizens meaningfully inform decisions taken by Heads of State and Government at the Luanda Summit.

A Renewed Partnership at a Historic Milestone

The year 2025 marks 25 years of the AU–EU partnership, a period in which both continents have expanded cooperation across peace and security, trade, governance, migration, climate resilience, and human development. The Joint Declaration situates this moment as a critical opportunity for stocktaking and renewal, aligning Africa’s Agenda 2063, Europe’s global priorities, and the AU–EU Strategy within a partnership of equals.

The Pre-Summit Parliamentary Meeting in Midrand provided a platform for reflection, consensus-building, and coordinated messaging. This ensured the parliamentary dimension, often described as the “people’s voice” of the partnership, is fully integrated into the Luanda Summit deliberations.

Reaffirming a Partnership of Democratic Values

At the heart of the Joint Declaration is a strong recommitment to democracy, human rights, the rule of law, accountable governance, and multilateralism.

The parliaments emphasize that transparent and democratic institutions are indispensable for peace, stability, and citizen confidence. They call for a reinvigorated AU–EU partnership that is equitable, future-oriented, and anchored in shared values.

The Declaration also emphasizes the importance of parliamentary oversight, insisting that governments must be held accountable for delivering tangible results that improve the lives of citizens on both continents.

Key Elements of the Joint Declaration

The Declaration is structured across five thematic pillars, followed by a set of concrete joint actions.

1. Strengthening Multilateralism, Cooperation, and Governance

The parliaments reaffirm their commitment to:

1. multilateralism rooted in the UN Charter and Agenda 2063;
2. international cooperation to tackle political, socio-economic, and security challenges;
3. more strategic communication to ensure visibility and trust in the AU–EU partnership;
4. support for global financial reform and a call for Africa to receive permanent seats on the UN Security Council.

2. Peace, Security, and Stability in Africa and Europe

The Declaration highlights a comprehensive peace and security agenda, including:

a)     rejection of unconstitutional changes of government and all forms of military intervention;

b)     condemnation of war crimes, especially sexual violence against women and girls;

c)     support for African-led, African-owned peace processes through predictable financing;

d)     calls for strengthened cooperation against cyber threats, disinformation, and hybrid warfare;

e)     specific attention to critical conflicts, including Sudan, Eastern DRC, Palestine, the Sahel, and the Russia–Ukraine war.

3. Empowering Youth Through Mobility and Opportunity

Recognizing Africa’s youth as a major transformative force, the parliaments call for:

1. expanded youth exchanges, scholarships, and research collaboration;
2. reciprocal, transparent, and fair mobility arrangements without brain drain;
3. a dedicated Africa–EU Youth Innovation Fund to support start-ups and youth-led initiatives;
4. humane treatment and human-rights-based migration policies;
5. strengthened intra-African and Africa–Europe skills recognition and mobility;
6. inclusion of youth in peace, governance, and economic decision-making.

4. Advancing a Prosperous and Sustainable Shared Future

A major portion of the Declaration focuses on economic transformation, trade justice, and sustainable development:

a)     creation of an Africa–Europe Industrialization Pact to shift Africa from raw-material exporter to a manufacturing and innovation hub;

b)     establishment of a European–African Infrastructure Fund supporting transportation networks, renewable energy, digital connectivity, and irrigation systems, without driving African countries into unsustainable debt;

c)     improved cooperation on responsible mining and critical raw materials;

d)     enhanced implementation of the Global Gateway Africa–Europe Investment Package with stronger local ownership;

e)     sustained financing for health programmes and pandemic preparedness;

f)      strengthened support for AfCFTA implementation and private-sector readiness;

g)     expanded cultural and artistic cooperation, including restitution of cultural goods.

5. Institutionalizing Parliamentary Engagement in the AU–EU Framework

A major outcome is the call for a fully institutionalized parliamentary dimension to the AU–EU partnership.

The parliaments advocate for:

1. structural integration of PAP–EP engagement into the AU–EU architecture;
2. continuous involvement of parliamentarians in policymaking, oversight, and accountability;
3. creation of a Permanent PAP–EP Civil Society and Youth Forum;
4. recognition of parliaments as full actors in governance frameworks and budgetary processes.

A Seven-Point Pledge of Joint Parliamentary Action

The Declaration concludes with a powerful pledge outlining concrete joint commitments by both parliaments. These include:

1. Institutionalizing Pre-Summit Parliamentary Meetings ahead of every AU–EU Summit.
2. Establishing annual Parliament-to-Parliament meetings with regular reporting from executives and implementing partners.
3. Strengthening oversight of elections in line with ACDEG and EU instruments.
4. Working jointly to ensure the return of African artifacts and cultural heritage.
5. Integrating a robust youth dimension through a Joint Youth Strategy aligned with the SDGs and Agenda 2063.
6. Introducing time-bound targets and progress indicators in future declarations.
7. Elevating the Africa–EU partnership within the formal workstreams of both parliaments.

Conclusion: A New Chapter in Africa–Europe Parliamentary Diplomacy

The Joint Declaration adopted in Midrand and presented today in Luanda sends an unmistakable message: Africa and Europe are committed to a partnership built on equality, mutual benefit, and shared responsibility. As the 7th AU–EU Summit unfolds, the contributions of PAP and the European Parliament underscore the critical role of parliamentary diplomacy in shaping strategic continental relations.

By placing democratic values, youth empowerment, peace and security, sustainable development, and institutional accountability at the core of their joint commitments, PAP and EP have charted a forward-looking roadmap for a partnership that genuinely delivers for the people of both continents.