Europe’s attempt to increase its global weight by getting closer to Africa

– International news – Tasnim News Agency, the German publication “Die Site” wrote in an article: Representatives of the European Union and African countries at the Africa Summit at the invitation of the Federal Chancellor of Germany They came together. The issues raised in this meeting include economic investments and climate protection.

Olaf Schultz, the Federal Chancellor of Germany today (Monday) among the heads of states and governments of many African countries in the summit called He welcomed the initiative of the pact with Africa in Berlin.. In this summit, he asked German companies to invest more in the African continent. The Social Democratic Party politician also said that Africa’s potential is huge.

Sabine Dal Omo, head of the African Business Association of Germany, described investment by German companies in the region as still “disappointing” and low. Meanwhile, several African governments have pointed to huge investment growth rates in recent years.

Regarding climate-friendly hydrogen production, the German chancellor stressed that countries with relevant potential They are supported in creating local hydrogen economies and their value chains. He added: We will buy green hydrogen in large quantities. The Africa Treaty Conference is intended to send this signal. Schultz said to an African country: “You can count on Germany as a partner.” Robert Haubeck, the vice chancellor of Germany, also noted that renewable energy currently accounts for only one percent of electricity production in the country. It forms Africa. Germany’s Minister of Economic Affairs and Climate Protection said: We are ready as partners, but you have to say what you want and set business plans. According to him, this is a great opportunity for African countries to become a climate-friendly economy. Some criticisms were also expressed in Berlin by African countries. Senegalese President Macky Sall particularly criticized the expensive loans for investment in Africa. “Frank Walter Steinmeier”, the Federal President of Germany, has also supported closer cooperation between the European Union and Africa. . In this regard, he said: If both sides define and implement common positions, they will have more weight on the world stage.

Steinmeyer said to the heads of states and governments of African countries: Let us fight against the division of the world. And set an example against polarization.

He emphasized: To achieve this goal, Germany must also deal with the history of colonialism, which is characterized by violence and oppression against the African population. Steinmeier said: Without dealing with the past, no real partnership is possible. The Federal President also noted that African countries are only responsible for four percent of the world’s CO2 emissions, but at the same time they suffer particularly from the consequences of climate change. He emphasized that the focus at the Berlin summit was on creating sustainable jobs. Schulze called for participation on equal terms.

This initiative was started in 2017 by Germany, which at that time chaired the Group of 20.

This year’s meeting was hosted by Olaf Schultz, the Federal Chancellor of Germany, will welcome the representatives of the Group of 20 countries and the heads of states and governments from Africa in two working meetings in the chancellor’s office. According to the federal government, the purpose of the summit is to “boost investment in these countries.” From Europe, Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Union Commission, Charles Michel, President of the Council of the European Union, Emmanuel Macron, President France and Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte participated in the Berlin summit.

Thus, after years of hesitation, German and European economies are apparently ready to increase investment in Africa. In a recent study conducted by the German African Business Association and KPMG Management Consulting and made available to Reuters, 59% of the surveyed companies said that they want to expand their business in the African continent due to geopolitical crises.

According to this study, 78% expect to increase sales in their African business in the next five years.

This study makes it clear that the German economy is lagging behind in Africa. 38% of surveyed companies stated that international competition from China, for example, dominates Africa.

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