Roberta METSOLA, President of the European Parliament, gives a speech at the International Summit “Italy – Africa. A bridge for common growth” in Rome (Italy). The event is held in the Italian Senate – Palazzo Madama – and it is attended by Heads of State and Government and Ministers of African countries, as well as the leaders of the European Union, the African Union and the main International Organisations. This transcription is a result of an automatic process. Please check against delivery.

statement

EU - Africa (T)

METSOLA, Roberta (EPP, MT, EP President)

Italy

Rome

president's agenda

Speech by Roberta METSOLA, EP President at the International Summit "Italy – Africa A bridge for common growth"

https://api.multimedia.europarl.europa.eu/documents/20125/74500287/1706631204826_I252210Chapters%5BSD-EN%5D.srt

SOUNDBITE (Italian), Roberta METSOLA, EP President, President of the Senate, Dear Ignazio, Prime Minister, Dear Giorgia, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Caro Antonio,

SOUNDBITE (English), Roberta METSOLA, EP President, 'Chairpersons of the African Union, the SA Somalia and the African Union Commission, Moussa Faki, President of the European Council, President of the European Commission, Deputy Secretary-General of the United Nations. Prime Ministers, Presidents, dignitaries, Ladies and gentlemen.

SOUNDBITE (English), Roberta METSOLA, EP President, When Africa prospers, Europe prospers and the world will prosper too. We can move forward together. That is the message behind my few words today, the sentiment behind the Mattei plan and the vision of the European Union.

SOUNDBITE (English), Roberta METSOLA, EP President, Enrico Mattei understood sooner and perhaps better than most, that there is more strength in the nations working together than there is when working against each other.

SOUNDBITE (English), Roberta METSOLA, EP President, 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.

SOUNDBITE (English), Roberta METSOLA, EP President, 'Allow me, then, to express my gratitude to President Meloni and Minister Tajani for advancing this project. A real change in mentality that has been long-awaited.

SOUNDBITE (English), Roberta METSOLA, EP President, Allow me also to pay tribute to the work of the African Union under the leadership of Moussa Faki and President Azali Assoumani. As Moussa Faki often says, we, Europeans and Africans have a comparative advantage, but if we don't cultivate it, it will disappear to the benefit of other players.

SOUNDBITE (English), Roberta METSOLA, EP President, Business, trade and investment can only prosper creating jobs and sustainable inclusive growth in a climate of peace, security, stability, respect for human rights and good governance. Different.

SOUNDBITE (English), Roberta METSOLA, EP President, The world is changing and we must change with it. 12 of the 20 fastest growing economies on the planet are in Africa. It has been described as the young land in an ageing world and the narrative around the continent and our relationship must evolve. All of this while the clock of a climate emergency keeps on ticking.

SOUNDBITE (English), Roberta METSOLA, EP President, Nowhere is this felt more acutely than Africa, in to many places we are seeing land receding while sea levels rise. The challenge of our generation requires joint effort, real partnership. We can ensure a path to real prosperity, economic growth while saving our planet and safeguarding rights.

SOUNDBITE (English), Roberta METSOLA, EP President, We've shown that we can be on the same page time and again as we step up the energy transition, Africa will lead the way for the global push. We are entering a new era of international interdependency, where cooperation has never been more important and this has made this event all the more urgent.

SOUNDBITE (English), Roberta METSOLA, EP President, Europe and Africa have been friends and allies for many years, and our cooperation has already yielded tangible results, considerable investment and sharing. Yet 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. And Europe understands the responsibility that it bears here. We need to deliver on our promises, fill the funding gaps that remain and move on infrastructural education, agricultural food security, investments.

SOUNDBITE (English), Roberta METSOLA, EP President, And there are challenges that go beyond the immediate. I grew up on Malta, an island further to the south than Tunis. My generation is the first not to have experienced colonialism. We know how difficult it is to break with the past and forge new relationships as partners around the same table. But a new way is possible. It is desirable and it is achievable. Africa has all that it takes to be the next global economic powerhouse. A pioneer in green tech, emerging tourism destinations and a leader in the digital transition.

SOUNDBITE (English), Roberta METSOLA, EP President, Nearly half a billion consumers in Africa already pay on mobile phone travel platforms launched by local talent in the energy sector. It is a continent unrivalled. Europe has an energy supply challenge and Africa has the potential to be a massive supplier of any renewable and green energy. This also applies for raw materials and rare earths. We can grow together sustainably, not at the expense of each other.

SOUNDBITE (English), Roberta METSOLA, EP President, The European and African continents also have a joint interest when it comes to security concerns. Recent developments underscored those related to our trade networks. So when we say that Africa must take its rightful seat at the table as partners as equals, it is anunderstanding that our continents, our countries and our people need each other to emerge stronger from global challenges and to foster economic growth. In a win win for all.

SOUNDBITE (English), Roberta METSOLA, EP President, Africa has everything it needs to fulfil its vast potential, and Europe can be a partner. Take, for instance, the Mediterranean region, the potential that it has to return to its former glory as a hub for business, exchange of goods, services, tourism and ideas are limitless.

SOUNDBITE (English), Roberta METSOLA, EP President, Too often our discussions are only dominated by short term considerations, and this has been particularly true when we speak about migration. Of course, this is a pressing issue. It needs partnership to address holistically. But it is certainly not the only one.

SOUNDBITE (English), Roberta METSOLA, EP President, Our discussions need to move beyond the immediate, and this needs to start with us. On behalf of the European Parliament, I am here today to show our commitment to making our shared future safer, more prosperous, more secure. Europe has a role to play without imposition with reciprocal trust.

SOUNDBITE (English), Roberta METSOLA, EP President, Over the years, the European Parliament has had the honour of welcoming you, many of you, to our house. Our regular interactions with parliaments from African countries and joint parliamentary assemblies are an excellent basis and a proof of our commitment to strengthen ties.

SOUNDBITE (Italian), Roberta METSOLA, EP President, Because if Africa grows, so does Europe and the entire world. Thank you.