RELATIONS WITH THE EU
The European Union and The Comoros
The European Union and the Comoros have developed a strong partnership that dates back over sixty years.These relations focus on development cooperation with a view to achieving economic independence, but also on political and economic issues, trade, investment and security.
In the Comoros, the EU is represented by the European Union Office, which is part of the EU Delegation to Madagascar.
Political Relations
The last session of the high-level political dialogue between the European Union and the government of the Comoros under Article 8 of the Cotonou Agreement was held on 9 July 2019. Among the discussed topics were the current political situation, economic cooperation, the regional integration process, governance, human rights, development cooperation, road infrastructure, fisheries, etc.
The EU Delegation and the EU Office in Moroni have a very close and continuous working relationship with the Comorian administration.
Trade and Investment
The EU is the Comoros' main economic partner, both for trade in goods and for investment.
The Union of the Comoros has ratified the Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) with the EU and the countries of the Southern African region in 2019. Under which agreement, the country benefits from free access to the EU market, without tariffs or quotas. The EU and the Comoros are seeking to expand the terms of this agreement and negotiations are underway at the regional level.
The EU is funding the APILE programme, enabling Comoros to take full advantage of the EPAs. The programme aims to strengthen national production capacity, in particular product processing, in order to boost exports of Comorian goods to regional and European markets, thereby promoting growth and employment.
The EU is also promoting investment by European companies in the Comoros in the context of win-win partnerships, notably in the field of renewable energy or digital technology.
Cooperation and Development
The EU supports the Comoros in its growth strategy, as defined in the Emerging Comoros Plan (ECP) 2030.
Within this framework, the EU intervenes to support sustainable growth and job creation. More specifically, the areas of intervention cover climate change resilience, private sector support to foster local production and manufacturing, vocational training, and economic and financial governance.
This strategy is based on the inclusive participation of all stakeholders in the economic development of the Comoros (local authorities, private sector, women and youth in particular). It also requires a closer dialogue with the government to define the priorities and reforms that have to be carried out, as well as improved coordination with France (the only Member State present in the country) and other development partners.
The country also benefits from targeted EU interventions in the field of renewable energy with projects in Grande Comore and Moheli, financed through development cooperation and interventions by the European Investment Bank.
Finally, in partnership with the French Development Agency, the EU is financing a project that aims to connect more than 3000 households to the drinking-water supply network on the island of Anjouan.
Maritime Security
The EU is supporting the Comoros in its efforts to strengthen maritime safety and security.
This is a key issue for a country strategically located in the Mozambique Channel, where many oil tankers and container ships pass through. Support is provided through EU regional programmes (CRIMARIO and MASE), which allow coordination of actions with other countries in the region.
These actions focus on sea safety, the fight against smuggling and illicit flows from the African coast, but also the control and prevention of pollution, and port security. This support is based on maritime information exchange systems and the development of intervention capabilities.