I am delighted to introduce Anne Marchal, our new ambassador.

In the coming months and weeks, you will have the opportunity to get to know her better, both in her public diplomacy and her cultural and, of course, cooperation activities. Like her predecessor, Anne Marchal is determined to work towards consolidating the EU-Congo partnership, but also to add her own touch to make it even more visible to the Congolese and European public.

This website and its various sections are part of the materialisation of the EU-Congo partnership, a showcase, a toolbox and a synthesis of practical information to help you better understand the place and role of the EU in the world.

It illustrates more than 61 years of close ties between the Republic of Congo and the EU, and a dynamic partnership in various fields such as politics, the economy, the environment, social affairs and culture. A secure, reliable partnership that has proved its worth, and which we have celebrated throughout 2023 by drawing lessons from the past and, at the same time, projecting ourselves confidently into the future, listening to young people who, more than ever, want to be heard and involved in the decisions that concern them. ‘Acting with young people to transform the world’ is the theme under which we have placed our actions in 2024, to enable us to better respond to current challenges and address the concerns of young people, so that together we can build a more sustainable future:  

• Diversifying the economy
• Combating climate change and preserving the environment
• Promoting and defending human rights
• Supporting local development

All these challenges require an inclusive dialogue with the authorities, the private sector and civil society, and a concerted approach with international partners and, of course, Team Europe with our Member States. In this sense, the Samoa Agreement, which succeeds the Cotonou Agreement, offers a new impetus and a privileged framework for establishing a renewed partnership from continent to continent. Signed on 15 November 2023 between the EU and its Member States and the members of the Organisation of African, Caribbean and Pacific States (OECP), this new agreement will serve as a global legal framework for the next twenty years, covering issues such as sustainable development and growth, human rights, peace and security. To develop, this partnership must be resolutely reciprocal, based on trust, solidarity, openness and mutual respect.

These are essential values, dear to Europe, and with them comes a responsibility: that of continuing to promote and share them with you, by keeping you informed and connected to our shared news, our actions and our programmes, which are being developed to meet your expectations.

Dear Internet users,

This tool has been designed with you in mind. With the arrival of our new ambassador and the start of the new school year at the beginning of September, we will be gradually updating it and hope that it will continue to meet your expectations.

Until H.E.M. Anne Marchal settles in for good, and until we publish a more personal message, stay tuned and continue to interact with us on our other platforms: Facebook, Instagram and X.

Toza Elongo (We are together!)

Torben Nilsson, Deputy Head of Delegation of the European Union Delegation to the Republic of Congo.