Renew Europe calls for a partnership of equals with African, Caribbean and Pacific states – one that delivers for people
The second OACPS–EU Joint Parliamentary Assembly, which brings some 160 parliamentarians to Brussels, comes at a defining moment for our partnership. In an increasingly fragmented world, marked by geopolitical competition, insecurity and growing pressure on multilateralism - and with China and Russia gaining ground, particularly in Africa - Europe and its partners in Africa, the Caribbean and the Pacific have a shared responsibility to shape their future together. The Samoa Agreement offers a renewed political framework, but its success will depend on moving beyond declarations towards genuine political cooperation: a partnership of equals, built on mutual respect, shared interests and common responsibilities.
Hilde Vautmans MEP (Renew Europe), Co-President of the Africa–EU Parliamentary Assembly and Vice-Chair of the European Parliament’s Delegation to the OACPS–EU Joint Parliamentary Assembly, said:
“As Co-President of the Africa–EU Parliamentary Assembly, I have seen, particularly during our historic meeting in Eswatini, the potential of a stronger and more ambitious relationship. Peace and security, democracy, human rights and the rule of law must remain at its heart. But our cooperation must also deliver economic opportunities and shared prosperity. Whether we discuss critical raw materials, trade, investment or Global Gateway, our ambition must be to create value on both sides, strengthen local industries, generate quality jobs and build sustainable economies. Africa, the Caribbean and the Pacific must be partners in shaping our common economic future, not simply markets or sources of resources.”
Hilde VautmansRenew Europe MEP, Belgium, Anders
The debates in Brussels, from security and oceans to development finance and youth mobility, show how closely our challenges are linked. For Renew Europe, commitments must now turn into real improvements in people’s lives:
Protecting our oceans. Oceans feed millions and keep whole economies afloat. But they are also exploited by criminals, from illegal fishing fleets to drug traffickers shipping cocaine to Europe’s ports. Renew Europe wants the new UN high-seas treaty applied, illegal fishing stopped, a fairer share of the sea’s wealth for coastal communities and joint action against drug trafficking at sea.
Financing development more fairly. Since USAID closed in July 2025, US development aid has fallen by 57%. Europe cannot fill the gap alone, but it can spend smarter, with grants rather than debt for the most fragile countries and zero tolerance for fraud.
Critical raw materials: a fair deal. Renew Europe wants balanced partnerships on critical raw materials, helping Europe to diversify its supply chains and reduce excessive strategic dependencies.
Investing in the next generation. Young people need training, decent work and more chances to study and work abroad – and to bring those skills back home.
Pacific: climate resilience. For islands facing rising seas, the EU development aid must fund what keeps people safe – clean energy, sturdier ports, disaster preparedness.
Pacific: strategic autonomy. As major powers compete for influence, Pacific States must stay free to choose their partners, and Europe must respect their sovereignty and international law.
Global Gateway.We see this EU's €300 billion infrastructure strategy as a transparent, global trade boosting and democracy protecting private-sector-driven alternative to authoritarian influences, that offers developing partners high-standard investments, avoids debt traps and builds on local resilience.
Malik Azmani (VVD, Netherlands), Co-President of the Carribean–EU Parliamentary Assembly and Vice-Chair of the European Parliament’s Delegation to the OACPS–EU Joint Parliamentary Assembly, said:
"In a world of geopolitical conflict and economic uncertainty, our partnership with the African, Caribbean, and Pacific states is indispensable. Together we represent more than 100 countries and some 2 billion people across four continents. Oceans may separate us, but our shared history, values, economies, and the challenges we face, connect us. Last February, Caribbean and European parliamentarians agreed on concrete recommendations in Antigua and Barbuda to seize shared opportunities and tackle common challenges, from trade and investment to climate resilience and drug trafficking. Now we must make sure we deliver results. That is how we make this partnership stronger.”
Malik AzmaniRenew Europe MEP, Netherlands, Volkspartij voor Vrijheid en Democratie
Parliamentary diplomacy has a key role to play: building trust, defending shared values and holding institutions to their promises. No country can face climate change, pandemics or insecurity alone, and working together remains Europe’s best answer.
Renew Europe’s ambition is not a stronger partnership on paper, but a credible and lasting political alliance that delivers for citizens and helps build a more stable and prosperous world.