African European Parliamentarians Initiative

EU Legislative Interests

African-European relations.

Communication Activities

It is AEPI's firm belief that strong parliaments – in their role as arbiters of peace, stability and prosperity – lie at the heart of long-term development and the realisation of human rights. Accordingly, we look to work in partnership with EU institutions to strengthen African parliamentary institutions and promote human dignity by supporting democracy on the continent. It is these activities and partnerships that AEPI wishes to continue dialogue with the European Commission, European Parliament and other related institutes. Built on the legacy of long-tested solidarity and cooperation between African and European parliamentarians, as its name suggests, AEPI is a joint African-European initiative with a network of former and current parliamentarians from both continents. AEPI believes that Good Governance and well-functioning democratic institutions are vital for the well-being of a country's citizens, and ultimately for a continent. A crucial role of parliamentarians is to ensure their governments deliver on their responsibilities to their citizens and are held accountable. AEPI believes that the capacity of a group of current and former parliamentarians from across Europe acting together to strengthen the voice for Africa in Europe, and to work to assist the practical tasks of African Parliamentarians, is important, both for Europe and Africa. To this end, we continue to strengthen and build our network throughout Europe. As our core business is peer-to-peer parliamentary exchange, we draw upon our network of European parliamentarians to represent AEPI in activities online or in person with our African partners, where mutual exchange can take place. We aim to build AEPI Parliamentary Groups (APG’s) in the European Parliament and national parliaments. These groups would consist of like-minded sitting and former parliamentarians who share the vision, and are, or want to work for, stronger ties between our two continents. These groups would: • Advocate for Africa in Europe; • Organise Africa-related parliamentary events; • Receive African delegations to their parliament; • Support our projects in Africa; • Follow programmes, especially if their parliament is an AEPI donor; • Attend AEPI events where relevant and possible in Europe or Africa. This could be, for example, the local APG, thematic cross-European or African (virtual) meetings and activities.

Interests Represented

Does not represent commercial interests

Organisation Members

AEPI has a network of parliamentarians from the European Parliament and European national parliaments, who are willing to devote their extensive knowledge, experience and wide-ranging expertise to cooperate and offer peer to peer learning with African colleagues and to push for people-oriented policies in Africa and Europe. AEPI’s board consists of five current and former parliamentarians from across Europe and across the political spectrum. Details can be found at https://aepi-international.org/management-board-mb/