As his diplomatic mission in Togo concludes, European Union Ambassador Gwilym Ceri Jones met with President Faure Essozimna Gnassingbé this Thursday. The occasion provided an opportunity for the diplomat to deliver a glowing assessment of a partnership he describes as having significantly expanded in both scope and impact.
Following his farewell audience, the European ambassador lauded the considerable expansion of the partnership between Brussels and Lomé during his tenure. This collaboration now spans critical areas such as sustainable development, infrastructure, energy, governance, education, and security. He explained that his visit aimed to engage with the Togolese head of state, listen to his perspectives, and evaluate the progress of their ongoing cooperation.
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According to Gwilym Ceri Jones, the outgoing European Union Ambassador to Togo, the overall assessment reveals a substantial strengthening of this vital partnership, both in its breadth and influence.
Booming investment programs bolster Togo’s economy
The diplomat underscored the invigorated European investment programs in Togo, highlighting a robust portfolio that presents numerous opportunities for both Togolese and European private sectors. This dynamic, he stated, is designed to foster economic growth and job creation in strategic sectors, including energy, agriculture, and digital transformation.
Security and development: an essential synergy
Ambassador Jones also focused on the deepening cooperation in peace and security, deeming it an indispensable component of any development initiative. He noted that the European Union has intensified its support for the Togolese armed forces, assisting both in counter-terrorism efforts and in strengthening maritime security.
Gwilym Ceri Jones further commended the exceptional quality of relations forged between Togo and the European Union, expressing strong confidence in the continued progression and deepening of this partnership beyond his own mandate.
The DCP 2021-2027: a strategic framework for cooperation
European interventions in Togo are meticulously structured within the Joint Multi-annual Programming Document (DCP) 2021-2027, which allocates a substantial portfolio of 201 million euros. This comprehensive framework directs funding towards three pivotal areas: human development and socio-economic inclusion, sustainable agro-industries and natural resource management, and the fostering of a peaceful, resilient Togolese society built on inclusive governance.
New tripartite mechanism to boost business climate
This cooperative dynamic received an additional impetus 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 create a more attractive 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, both parties agree, underscore the enduring strength of a partnership poised for continued success beyond Ambassador Jones’s departure.
