Summary of the day
The Italian prime minister, Giorgia Meloni, presented her 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 Italian leader hosted senior officials from Africa and the EU in Rome for a summit.
Meloni said her plan was based on several pillars: education and training, health, agriculture, water and energy.
Moussa Faki Mahamat, chairman of the African Union Commission, said that partnership is based on liberty and consensus, with no side imposing anything.
Roberta Metsola, the European parliament president, said at the summit that the relationship between the two continents “must be characterised by a real partnership of equals”.
Ursula von der Leyen, the European Commission president, said there was a need to get concrete about cooperation and that “interests are aligned more than ever before”.
The European Council president, Charles Michel, said countries were “joining forces on concrete projects that will make a real difference to people’s lives – in energy, security, and resilience”.
Analysts said Meloni’s plan did little on environmental issues that were supposed to be a core pillar.
French farmers driving tractors have made good on a threat to blockade Paris for an indefinite period, stopping traffic on eight main motorways into the city in a row over regulations, pay and taxes.
People-smugglers are increasingly recruiting people from former Soviet republics in central Asia to pilot boats carrying people from Turkey to Italy, say NGOs and lawyers.
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Here are the latest photos from France, where farmers vowed to “besiege” the capital.
People-smugglers recruit skippers from central Asia on Turkey to Italy route
People-smugglers are increasingly recruiting people from former Soviet republics in central Asia to pilot boats carrying migrants from Turkey to Italy, say NGOs and lawyers.
The migrants are taken by sea from Turkey to Italy, often using sailing boats, as an alternative to the longer overland route through the Balkans where border guards in Croatia and Slovenia have engaged in illegal pushbacks of asylum seekers at the EU border.
According to the International Organization for Migration (IOM), 7,153 people, paying more than €8,000 (£6,820) each, arrived on one of the coasts of Sicily, Puglia or Calabria from the Turkish ports of İzmir, Bodrum and Çanakkale in 2023.
A report released by the Italian NGO Arci Porco Rosso and the nonprofit Borderline Europe said of 68 boat drivers arrested in 2023 by Italian police on the route on charges of illegally transporting asylum seekers from Turkey at least 18 had come from Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan, Azerbaijan and Tajikistan.
The central Asian boat drivers have largely replaced Ukrainian and Russian skippers who were previously recruited by the Turkish smuggling gangs who run the route.
Read the full story here.
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“Joining forces on concrete projects that will make a real difference to people’s lives — in energy, security, and resilience,” the European Council president, Charles Michel, said today while attending the Italy-Africa summit in Rome.
Joining forces on concrete projects that will make a real difference to people’s lives — in energy, security, and resilience.
— Charles Michel (@CharlesMichel) January 29, 2024
Working side by side with our African partners for a peaceful and prosperous African continent.
Thank you, @GiorgiaMeloni for welcoming us in Rome. pic.twitter.com/k0VZpBwqHY
Giorgia Meloni, the Italian prime minister, said that the plan presented today at the Italy-Africa summit is based on several pillars: education and training, health, agriculture, water and energy.
Il Vertice Italia-Africa è il primo appuntamento internazionale che l’Italia ospita da quando ha assunto la Presidenza del G7.
— Giorgia Meloni (@GiorgiaMeloni) January 29, 2024
L’obiettivo, di medio e lungo periodo, che ci siamo dati è quello di dimostrare che siamo consapevoli di quanto il destino dei nostri due continenti,… pic.twitter.com/ENN8CZK0Ji
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Analysts question environmental pillar of Meloni's plan
Giorgia Meloni named her “Mattei plan” for Africa after the founder of Italian oil company Eni. But analysts say she had little to add on environmental issues that are supposed to be a core pillar of the plan.
There was “very little mention of climate change”, said Giulia Giordano from thinktank Ecco, though Meloni referenced a lack of water as a driver of migration.
Still, said Giordano, Italy’s ambitions to become an energy hub between Europe and Africa are at the centre of cooperation efforts.
Meloni insisted on the rhetoric of ensuring energy security in Italy while supporting development in Africa. While oil and gas were not directly mentioned, the presence among the delegates of Eni’s CEO - and the reference to Italy’s private sector - hints at the central role that the industry will still play in the plan.
Over the last two years, Europe has looked more to Africa for energy as it has cut imports of Russian gas. The EU is encouraging some African countries like Namibia and Morocco to make hydrogen with renewable energy to power factories in Europe.
At the same time, European energy companies thirsty for African oil have been awarded drilling licenses across the continent.
Dean Bhebhe, an activist from campaign group Don’t Gas Africa, criticised the Italy-Africa summit for leaving out the voices of African civil society.
The Mattei plan is a symbol of Italy’s fossil fuel ambitions that threatens to turn Africa into a mere energy conduit for Europe. This ambition neglects the urgent climate crisis and the voices of African civil society.
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French farmers drive 1,000 tractors towards Paris in blockade threat
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. They claim the traditional way of rural life is facing collapse. Farmers 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.
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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.
Minister of Foreign Affairs @DmytroKuleba, the Head of the Office of the President of Ukraine @AndriyYermak, and the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade of Hungary Péter Szijjártó have started negotiations in Uzhhorod aimed at normalizing Ukrainian-Hungarian relations 🇺🇦🇭🇺 pic.twitter.com/faLsLFO7oy
— MFA of Ukraine 🇺🇦 (@MFA_Ukraine) January 29, 2024
EU official pushes back against report on bloc threatening Hungarian economy
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.
Pressed further, however, the official added:
The background document does not outline a plan but makes a suggestion that is not in line with the course of action of negotiations.
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Meloni outlines 'new chapter' of 'cooperation among equals' with Africa
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.
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Our 'interests are aligned more than ever before', says Ursula von der Leyen
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.
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'When Africa prospers, Europe prospers,' European parliament president says
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.
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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.
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Hungary 'will not give in to blackmail', minister says
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.
#Hungary does not make link between the support for #Ukraine and access to #EU funds and rejects other actors doing so. Hungary has been and will continue to participate constructively in the negotiations, but will not give in to blackmail.
— Bóka János (@JanosBoka_HU) January 28, 2024
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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.
The day starts in Rome.#ItaliaAfrica pic.twitter.com/eQ7VB37VTH
— Roberta Metsola (@EP_President) January 29, 2024
Italy’s prime minister, Giorgia Meloni, has welcomed leaders in Rome for today’s discussions at the Italy-Africa summit.
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'Our bonds are growing stronger,' Michel says
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.
Thank you, President Mattarella @Quirinale & @GiorgiaMeloni for welcoming us in Rome for the first ItaliAfrica summit.
— Charles Michel (@CharlesMichel) January 28, 2024
The EU is a strong & committed partner for the African continent. Our bonds are growing stronger — in security, energy, development, and many other areas.
An… pic.twitter.com/eONXZwxU0X
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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.
Meloni to unveil plan to expand Italian influence in Africa
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.
Read the full story here.
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