Namibia and EU dialogue highlights shared interests

European Union (EU) member states and Namibian delegates this week discussed ways in which their partnership can be nourished to further enhance a return on investment.During her opening address, deputy prime minister Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah said that such dialogues underline the importance of multilateralism and bilateral cooperation."I urge the member states to extend your support to further strengthen the cooperation between Namibia and your respective countries," Nandi-Ndaitwah said.She said the member states should rest assured that their products will reach a market of 1.3 billion across the Southern African Development Community (SADC) and that the expansion of European companies will be tariff-free.The deputy prime minister added that negotiations at the talks will "touch on women in trade and digital trade under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA)."BenefitsThe session discussed a number of topics of shared and common interests, ranging from Namibia-EU relations, peace and unity, climate change; trade and economic cooperation, among others.The delegation discussed the trade benefits and impacts of the AfCFTA on Namibia, strategic partnerships on raw materials and green hydrogen, and the 2021-2027 Multi-Annual Indicative Programme&#039;s (MIP&#039;s) priorities and calendar.According to Sinikka Antila, EU ambassador in Namibia, the Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) business forum 2023 is already underway."In collaboration with the trade and industry ministry, Namibia Investment Promotion, and the Development Bureau, EU-Namibia is planning to host the EPA on 31st October," Antila said.She added that the EPA&#039;s implementation programme will assist Namibia in reaping the fruits of trade integration and the AfCFTA.She praised the development of a Memorandum of Understanding on critical raw materials and green hydrogen for signing at this year&#039;s United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP27)."In October, we will also meet with the Namibian youth delegates to COP27, to exchange with them on key challenges and opportunities they can identify from their perspective," Antila added.COP27 will take place in November in Egypt.

Namibia and EU dialogue highlights shared interests

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Namibian Sun 2025-05-05

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Namibia and EU dialogue highlights shared interests

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Namibian Sun 2025-05-05

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