In the context of its cooperation with ECCAS, the European Union is committed to supporting the objectives defined by the Multiannual Indicative Program (MIP) 2021-2027 for Sub-Saharan Africa: peace and security, as well as social, economic, and environmental prosperity in the region, are among the priorities of this program. This also includes the development of strategic partnerships to support cooperation in various fields, such as the sustainable management of natural resources, the fight against climate change, and the strengthening of regional infrastructures.

Since its institutional reform, ECCAS relies on an enhanced Commission that coordinates regional policies and supports its Member States in achieving their common priorities. This Commission is structured around five main themes:

1. Political Affairs, Peace, and Security
2. Common Market, Economic, Monetary, and Financial Affairs
3. Environment, Natural Resources, Agriculture, and Rural Development
4. Land Use and Infrastructure
5. Gender Promotion, Human and Social Development

Through joint initiatives, the EU contributes to strengthening the capacity of ECCAS projects and to the implementation of regional programs focused on common priorities, emphasizing the mutual commitment to promoting strong regional integration and effectively addressing global and regional challenges.

Cooperation with ECCAS is part of the broader Africa-EU Partnership, guided by a common strategy. The four main objectives of this long-term strategic partnership are as follows:

1. To strengthen and elevate the Africa-EU Political Partnership to address matters of common interest. This includes reinforcing institutional links and tackling shared challenges, particularly peace and security, migration and development, as well as a clean environment. Both parties will treat Africa as a single entity and improve political dialogue between Africa and the EU to enable a strong and sustainable partnership, centered on the African Union and the European Union.
2. To promote peace, security, democratic governance, human rights, fundamental freedoms, gender equality, sustainable economic development, including industrialization, and regional and continental integration in Africa.
3. To support an effective multilateralism system with strong, representative, and legitimate institutions and promote the reform of public administration.
4. To encourage holistic approaches to development processes and make the strategy a permanent platform for information, participation, and mobilization of a wide range of civil society actors in the EU, Africa, and beyond. Continuous dialogue with civil society, the private sector, and local stakeholders is a key element in ensuring the implementation of this strategy.

These four main objectives define the overall framework within which specific strategies will be developed in the following areas: (a) peace and security, (b) governance and human rights, (c) trade and regional integration, and (d) key development issues.