Burkina Faso and EU seek to revive their partnership
By the AFREEQUE newsroom, based on Alwihda Info
Burkina Faso’s Foreign Minister Karamoko Jean Marie Traoré met EU officials on 3 and 4 November to discuss a renewed partnership. The EU said it was willing to intensify political dialogue with Burkina Faso and the Sahel, in accordance with shared interests, according to statements reported by Alwihda Info.
Burkina Faso’s Foreign Minister Karamoko Jean Marie Traoré met EU officials in Brussels on 3 and 4 November to discuss a renewed partnership between Burkina Faso and the EU, based on sovereignty, mutual respect and shared interests, reports Alwihda Info. He notably held talks with Birgitte Nygaard Markussen, the EU Special Representative for the Sahel, and Kaja Kallas, Vice-President of the European Commission and High Representative of the EU for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy.
The EU referred to a “renewed approach” towards Burkina Faso and the Sahel and said it was willing to intensify political dialogue. Birgitte Nygaard Markussen said the visit should contribute to strengthening a “frank and balanced” dialogue, according to Alwihda Info.
Karamoko Jean Marie Traoré called on the EU to incorporate Burkina Faso’s new strategic vision. He said Ouagadougou remained open to bilateral or multilateral cooperation that respected its sovereignty and focused on its national development priorities. The talks also addressed tensions linked to a resolution by the European Parliament following remarks by French MEP Christophe Gomart about the security situation in Burkina Faso.
The visit comes after Karamoko Jean Marie Traoré presented Burkina Faso’s diplomatic priorities on 5 October. It also follows the cooperation dialogue between Niels Annen and Burkina Faso, revived on 2 October.
