As his diplomatic assignment in Togo concluded, the European Union Ambassador, Gwilym Ceri Jones, held a farewell meeting with the President of the Council, Faure Essozimna Gnassingbé, this Thursday. The occasion provided the diplomat with an opportunity to offer a glowing assessment of a partnership he described as having significantly expanded in both scope and impact.
Following his departure audience, the European ambassador lauded the broadening of the collaboration between Brussels and Lomé throughout his tenure. This partnership now spans crucial areas such as sustainable development, infrastructure, energy, governance, education, and security. He explained his visit was to engage with the Togolese Head of State, listen to his perspectives, and provide an overview of the ongoing cooperation.
Ambassador Gwilym Ceri Jones emphasized that his time in Togo marked a period of substantial enhancement for this partnership, witnessing growth in both its breadth and depth.
Booming Investment Programs
The diplomat highlighted the robust growth in European investment programs within Togo. He described a portfolio ripe with numerous opportunities for both Togolese and European private sectors. This dynamic, he noted, is set to bolster economic growth and job creation in strategic sectors, including energy, agriculture, and digital technology.
Security and Development: An Inseparable Pair
The ambassador also dwelt on the deepening cooperation in peace and security, which he views as fundamentally intertwined with all development initiatives. He reaffirmed that the European Union has significantly increased its support for the Togolese armed forces, assisting both in counter-terrorism efforts and in strengthening maritime security.
Gwilym Ceri Jones further commended the excellent quality of relations forged between Togo and the European Union, expressing confidence in the continued progression and deepening of this vital partnership beyond his own mandate.
DCP 2021-2027: The Framework for Cooperation
European interventions in Togo are structured within the Joint Multi-annual Programming Document (DCP) 2021-2027, which boasts a portfolio of 201 million euros. This framework directs funding towards three core areas: human development and socio-economic inclusion, sustainable agro-industries and natural resource management, and the consolidation of a peaceful and resilient Togolese society built on inclusive governance.
A New Tripartite Mechanism for Business
This cooperative momentum received an additional boost last June with the official launch of a tripartite cooperation mechanism. This initiative brings together the Togolese government, Team Europe, and Eurocham Togo. This permanent consultation framework aims to enhance the attractiveness of the business climate, stimulate European investments, and support the economic reforms undertaken by the Togolese government.
The mechanism is also designed to channel cooperation towards more tangible outcomes: job creation, private sector development, and the structural transformation of the Togolese economy. These initiatives, according to both parties, underscore the enduring strength of a partnership poised to continue well beyond Ambassador Jones’s departure.
