Ursula von der Leyen says Africa and Europe’s ‘interests are aligned more than ever before’ – Europe live

French farmers are driving tractors towards Paris as they start to make good on a threat to blockade the French capital for an indefinite period in a row over working conditions.

Protesters rejected concessions made by the prime minister, Gabriel Attal, at the weekend and promised to “besiege” Paris by paralysing the seven main motorways into the city by early afternoon.

At least 1,000 tractors were expected to be used in the blockade. They were expected to remain between 20-25 miles from the city centre, with the aim of restricting access in and out. This could disrupt access to the Charles de Gaulle-Roissy airport north of the city and Orly airport in the south, as well as the region’s main fresh food market at Rungis.

The authorities were advising drivers to cancel or postpone all non-essential road travel.

Farmers, particularly the country’s thousands of independent producers, say they are being strangled by EU and French bureaucracy and regulations and claim the traditional way of rural life is facing collapse. They are demanding fairer prices for produce, the continuation of subsidies on the agricultural diesel used to run their tractors and other vehicles, and financial aid for organic farmers.

Read more here.

Hungary’s foreign minister, Péter Szijjártó, is on a rare visit to Ukraine, where he is meeting senior officials today.

The discussions come at a sensitive time, as European governments pressure Hungary to lift its block on long-term funding for Kyiv. EU leaders will meet in Brussels for a summit on Thursday with the hope of reaching a compromise.

Responding to a report in the Financial Times which cited an EU document outlining “a strategy to explicitly target Hungary’s economic weaknesses, imperil its currency and drive a collapse in investor confidence” if the country continues to block aid to Ukraine, a senior EU official said today that the document in question does not outline a plan regarding Hungary.

The official said:

The document referred to in the Financial Times article is a background note written by the Secretariat of the council under its own responsibility which describes the current status of the Hungarian economy.

This is a factual paper which does not reflect the status of the ongoing negotiations on MFF [Multiannual Financial Framework, the EU’s long-term budget] between Sherpas and at the level of EU leaders. The note does not outline any specific plan relating to the MFF and Ukraine Facility, nor does it outline any plan relating to Hungary.

MFF talks are ongoing and have always been based on finding a compromise acceptable to all 27 EU [member states]. The negotiations among Sherpas and EU leaders are based on the principles of dialogue, consultation and compromise in the interest of all.

Speaking at the Italy-Africa summit today, the Italian prime minister, Giorgia Meloni, called for a new chapter in the relationship with the continent.

“We believe it is possible to envision and write a new chapter in the history of our relationship, a cooperation among equals, far from any predatory imposition or charitable stance towards Africa,” she said, Reuters reported.

The initiative would have an initial endowment of more than 5.5 billion euros, the Italian leader said.

Meloni also addressed migration.

Mass immigration will never be stopped, human traffickers will never be defeated if we do not address the many causes that push a person to leave their home.

Ursula von der Leyen, the European Commission president, said at the Italy-Africa summit that there’s a need to get concrete about cooperation.

The commission chief said that “this is a moment of intense and renewed cooperation between Africa and Europe because not only our destinies are aligned, but also interests are aligned more than ever before.”

She added:

We all need to switch to clean energy and to adapt to the climate change. We all need to train our workforce for the jobs of tomorrow. We all want to stop the tragic loss of life along the migratory routes. And we all want to give opportunities to our young people.

So it’s not only geography that brings us together, but also the commitment to bring mutual benefits to all our people.

So, we have to get concrete.

The commission president said Italy’s plans and the EU’s own programs are complementary.

I’m very grateful to Italy, for putting cooperation with Africa at the heart of the foreign policy and of its G7 presidency.

The new Mattei plan comes as an important contribution to this new phase of our collaboration. And it comes complimentary to our European Global Gateway.

Global Gateway, as you know, is the 150 billion euro investment plan for Africa. And this is plain and simply team Europe at work.

Speaking at the Italy-Africa summit, the president of the European parliament, Roberta Metsola, said:

When Africa prospers, Europe prospers – and the world will prosper too. We can move forward together.

She added:

The relationship between our great continents must be characterised by a real partnership of equals, one where we acknowledge the past and look to the future together. That is how we all prosper. How all our peoples are able to thrive and to fulfil their potential.

The parliament president called for a real partnership, underscoring that “the world is changing and we must change with it.”

“We are entering a new era of international interdependency, where cooperation has never been more important,” Metsola said, noting that “we need to have the courage to be honest with ourselves, honest about where we have succeeded, honest also about where we can do better.”

The president said:

We can grow together sustainably, not at the expense of each other.

There is a need for partnership to address migration holistically, she stressed.

Moussa Faki Mahamat, chairman of the African Union Commission, said at the Italy-Africa summit today that partnership is based on liberty and consensus, with no side imposing anything.

Africa engages in partnership based on mutual advantages, he added.

Azali Assoumani, chairperson of the African Union, said today’s Italy-Africa summit is an “excellent opportunity” to further promote the “strong ties” between Italy and continent.

János Bóka, Hungary’s minister for European Union affairs, said this morning that the country “does not make link between the support for Ukraine and access to EU funds and rejects other actors doing so”.

After the Hungarian prime minister, Viktor Orbán, vetoed a long-term financial aid package for Ukraine last year, negotiations have been ongoing to bring Hungary onboard, with another EU leaders’ summit scheduled for this Thursday.

Tensions have been running high over the past days as pressure has grown for Hungary to compromise. Over the weekend, the Hungarian government signalled its willingness to agree to using funds from the EU’s budget to help Ukraine, though with caveats.

“Hungary has been and will continue to participate constructively in the negotiations, but will not give in to blackmail,” Bóka said.

The assembled representatives from Europe and Africa have taken a group photo – and are now expected to begin discussions.

Senior EU figures, including the European Parliament president, Roberta Metsola, are in Rome today for the Italy-Africa summit.

Italy’s prime minister, Giorgia Meloni, has welcomed leaders in Rome for today’s discussions at the Italy-Africa summit.

Arriving at the Italy-Africa summit last night, the European Council president, Charles Michel, said: “The EU is a strong and committed partner for the African continent.”

He added:

Our bonds are growing stronger — in security, energy, development, and many other areas. An ambitious, forward-looking spirit is at the heart of our special partnership.

On the sidelines of the Italy-Africa summit, the European Commission and the African Development Bank Group yesterday formalised a new agreement to boost investments in infrastructure projects.

Ursula von der Leyen, the European Commission president, said:

I’m very glad to launch a new era of cooperation between Europe and Africa.

Together we will build clean and competitive economies across the continent, promote skills, create jobs and opportunities, especially for Africa’s vibrant youth.

Today’s new agreement between the European Commission and the African Development Bank Group will power ambitious infrastructure projects under Africa under Global Gateway, Europe’s investment strategy for the world.

The Italian prime minister, Giorgia Meloni, is poised to announce her grand plan for Italy in Africa as she strives to position her country at the forefront of European cooperation on the African continent in return for curbing illegal migration.

The so-called Mattei plan, named after Enrico Mattei, the founder of the oil company Eni, will be presented in Rome on Monday to a host of leaders from Africa and Europe, including the European Commission president, Ursula von der Leyen.

Meloni announced her Africa plan soon after her far-right government took office in October 2022, with the main goal of transforming Italy into an energy hub as Europe was weaning itself off Russian gas.

Although details of the plan’s broader scope have so far been scarce, a draft decree approved in November envisions Italy taking what Meloni has described as a “non-predatory” approach to helping African countries in areas including education, health, exports and infrastructure.

A priority for Meloni in exchange for helping African economies to prosper is stemming the flow of migrants from Africa, an election pledge she has so far failed to fulfil.

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Good morning and welcome back to the Europe blog.

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