The European Union’s Ambassador to Togo, Gwilym Ceri Jones, concluded his diplomatic mission with a final audience this Thursday with President of the Council, Faure Essozimna Gnassingbé. During this meeting, the diplomat presented an enthusiastic overview of a partnership he characterized as having significantly increased in both scope and impact.
Following his farewell reception, the European envoy lauded the substantial expansion of the partnership between Brussels and Lomé during his tenure. This collaboration now encompasses crucial sectors such as sustainable development, infrastructure, energy, governance, education, and security. Ambassador Jones explained that his visit aimed to engage with the Togolese head of state, listen to his perspectives, and assess the current state of their ongoing cooperation.
According to Gwilym Ceri Jones, the European Union’s Ambassador to Togo, the results clearly demonstrate a considerable strengthening of this vital partnership, both in its breadth and influence.
Booming Investment Initiatives
The diplomat emphasized the significant bolstering of European investment programs within Togo. He highlighted a portfolio that presents numerous opportunities for both Togolese and European private sectors. This momentum, he noted, is designed to foster economic growth and create employment in strategically important areas, including energy, agriculture, and digital technology.
Security and Development: An Intertwined Vision
The ambassador also focused on the deepening collaboration in peace and security, deeming it an indispensable element for any development project. He reiterated that the European Union has intensified its support for the Togolese armed forces, assisting both in counter-terrorism efforts and in strengthening maritime security across the region.
Gwilym Ceri Jones seized the opportunity to commend the excellent rapport established between Togo and the European Union, expressing his confidence that this robust partnership will continue to flourish and deepen well beyond the conclusion of his own mandate.
The DCP 2021-2027: A Framework for Collaboration
European interventions in Togo are meticulously structured within the Joint Multi-annual Programming Document (DCP) 2021-2027, which commands a substantial portfolio of 201 million euros. This strategic framework directs funding towards three primary pillars: fostering human development and socio-economic inclusion, promoting sustainable agro-industries and responsible natural resource management, and consolidating a peaceful and resilient Togolese society founded on inclusive governance principles.
A New Tripartite Mechanism for Business Growth
This dynamic cooperation received a fresh impetus last June with the official inauguration of a tripartite cooperation mechanism. This initiative brings together the Togolese government, Team Europe, and Eurocham Togo. This permanent consultation framework is designed to enhance the business climate, attract greater European investments, and actively support the economic reforms being implemented by the Togolese government.
Furthermore, this mechanism is expected to steer cooperation towards more tangible outcomes: robust job creation, accelerated development of the private sector, and the structural transformation of the Togolese economy. These collective initiatives, as underscored by both parties, exemplify the enduring strength of a partnership poised for continued success beyond Ambassador Jones’s departure.
