Polish FM vows southern Africa can rely on large support from EU
Polish Foreign Minister Radoslaw Sikorski pledged in Zimbabwe that the European Union can extend support to southern Africa countries in many areas.
Sikorski is in Zimbabwe’s capital, Harare, from March 14 to 16, marking the first-ever trip by a Polish foreign minister to the country.
Representing the EU as part of the ongoing Polish Presidency of the EU Council, he co-chaired the EU ministerial meeting with the Southern African Development Community (SADC) on Saturday alongside the Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Trade of Zimbabwe Amon Murwira.
"In these challenging times, the European Union is a reliable partner for Africa, offering support in many areas," he said at the SADC forum which gathered 16 southern African countries.
On behalf of the EU, he also participated in signing the Global Gateway with African partners from SADC.
"The agreement provides support in the amount of EUR 163.9 million for reforms in institutional, digitalization, transport (areas - PAP) and use of natural resources," the Polish Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) wrote on the X platform on Saturday.
The MFA also said that Sikorski, on behalf of the EU, called for a ceasefire in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and for the withdrawal of troops from Goma.
"Minister Sikorski expressed support for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the DRC," MFA added.
In a short video recording posted on X, Sikorski said that "partnership with Africa, a very promising continent, is very important."
During his trip to Africa, Sikorski is scheduled to hold bilateral meetings with his counterparts from Angola, Tanzania, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.
Pawel Wronski, the Polish foreign ministry spokesperson, said on Friday that, in Africa, Sikorski will represent the EU's top diplomat Kaia Kallas to present the bloc's stance on key global issues during meetings with representatives of Southern African nations.
Wronski added that "Southern African countries often hold differing views on European issues," citing their varied responses to the Russian invasion of Ukraine, the resolution of the conflict, and the future global landscape.
He further commented on the significant influence of both Russia and China in the region, saying that "if the EU does not enhance its representation — having maintained only a minimal presence for an extended period — it will find it challenging to achieve meaningful progress."
Wronski also said that Sikorski's visit, besides the meetings concerning the 'EU matters', will also be a chance to meet with African leaders and establish new political and economic ties. (PAP)
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