In addition to the collaboration that this framework creates between governments in the AU and EU countries, it also serves an important purpose in augmenting the partnership between the civil societies of the two continents, Dr. Meshesha noted.

He further said that the Joint Strategy takes the African-EU relationship to a new strategic level with a strengthened political partnership and enhanced cooperation at all levels.

The partnership will be based on a Euro-African consensus on common values, interests and strategic objectives, according to the Executive Director.

He said the partnership is expected to bridge the development gap between Africa and Europe through the strengthening of economic cooperation and the promotion of sustainable development in both continents.

The Joint Strategy, which provides an overarching long-term framework for Africa-EU relations, will be implemented through successive short-term Action Plans and enhanced political dialogue at all levels, he noted.

Prof. Dr. Christa Randzio-Plath, Vice Chairperson of VENRO- the umbrella Association of German NGOs said on the occasion that the role of the Civil Society is crucial in the implementation of the Joint Africa-EU Strategy. She said the Strategy is useful in further consolidating the relationship and partnership that exist between the EU and African civil societies.

TThe grassroots, which he said are co-owners of the Joint Africa-EU Strategy, should be well communicated regularly about the benefits and progress of this particular partnership.

VENRO has been organizing a series of workshops with a view to creating awareness about the Joint Africa-EU Strategy (JAES) as well as to enable Civil Society Groups to actively engage in this framework.

As part of this process, CCRDA and VENRO have joined hands to co-organize the two-day workshop that discussed, among other things, on different ways of engagement in two of the JAES components; namely Rural Development and Gender.

The workshop had also an intensive deliberation on the overall JAES framework as well as on how Civil Society Groups in both continents can effectively engage with the AU and EU for the advancement of the goals set in the Strategy.

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