The Political Guidelines for the next European Commission 2024-2029 frame the EU’s  presence in the Global South along geopolitical lines and prioritise its own economic and security interests, particularly versus China. In parallel, the Beijing Declaration following the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) and an extensive action plan make clear that China’s engagement towards Africa will remain economically strong and more political.  

Framed in the logic of a geopolitical zero-sum game, the EU narrative ignores that partners want to diversify their partnerships and do not see the EU and China as rivals that they have to choose from.  

This roundtable discussion will present recent research by ECDPM, that examined how the EU’s support to green national agendas is perceived by its partner countries, particularly in comparison to China. Interviewees in the three focus countries for this research – the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Morocco and South Africa – have nuanced views of the role that each of their partners can play, with their respectives strengths and shortcomings.  They welcome healthy competition and are often open to explore potential complementaries or even synergies between Europe and China. 

Agenda

10.00-10.10
Welcome and introduction by Mariella Di Ciommo, Associate Director, Europe and Africa in the World, ECDPM

10.10-10.25
Presentation of ECDPM’s main research findings (based on South Africa, Morocco and DRC case studies) by Pauline Veron, Policy officer, ECDPM

10.25-10.35
Reactions from:
Cristian-Géraud Neema, Africa Editor, China in the Global South Project 
Prof. ZHANG Chun, Center for African Studies, Yunnan University

10.35-11.25
Open discussion, moderated by Mariella Di Ciommo

11.25-11.30
Concluding remarks