6th Annual Joint Consultative Meeting between the African Union and Peace and Security Council ( (AUPSC) and the European Union Political and Security Committee (EUPSC)

Press Statement: The African Union Peace and Security Council (AUPSC) and the European Union Political and Security Committee (EUPSC) held their 6th Annual Joint Consultative Meeting in Addis Ababa, on 11 June 2013, within the framework of the Joint Africa-EU Strategy. The meeting was co-chaired by Ambassador Rachid Benlounes, Chairperson of the AUPSC for the month of June 2013, and Ambassador Olof Skoog, Permanent Chair of the EUPSC.

The meeting highlighted the need for continued cooperation between the African Union and the European Union to achieve our common goals of ensuring peace and security and promoting democratic governance, respect for human rights, the rule of law, protection of civilians and accountability for war crimes and crimes against humanity. The discussions, focused on Mali/Sahel, Guinea Bissau, Somalia, Sudan and South Sudan, Democratic Republic of Congo and the Great Lakes Regions, Central African Republic and the campaign for the elimination of the Lord's Resistance Army, reaffirmed the commitment of the AUPSC and the EUPSC to enhance joint efforts towards conflict prevention and resolution, the importance of coordinated responses to unconstitutional changes of government and addressing root causes of conflict.

The European External Action Service 2013

EEAS is the European Union's diplomatic corps. It supports the EU foreign affairs chief (High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Catherine Ashton) in conducting the common foreign and security policy.