The Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary Ambassador of Equatorial Guinea accredited in Belgium, Carmelo Nvono-Ncá, met this Thursday with Philippe Van Damme, Ambassador of the European Union for Cameroon and Equatorial Guinea.

This constitutes the first meeting between both personalities and has served as a framework to review the state of relations between Equatorial Guinea and the European Union, rated as very good by the parties. During their conversations, both have reaffirmed their interest in strengthening relations between Brussels and Malabo in various fields.

Throughout the meeting, the issue of the next Summit of Heads of State and Government of the African Union-European Union, scheduled for next February, was raised. Likewise, Nvono-Ncá and Vann Damme have extensively analyzed the possible participation of a European Union observation mission in the elections that Equatorial Guinea will organize between 2022 and 2023.

Regarding these elections, Ambassador Nvono-Ncá has indicated that as usual, the European Union and other States could be invited by the Government of Equatorial Guinea as long as they respect the country’s electoral procedures. Given the experience acquired in other African countries, Equatorial Guinea does not allow interference in internal affairs, so our country demands respect just as we respect other sovereign nations. The Ambassador took the opportunity to inform his interlocutor that the mission that participates in the elections in Equatorial Guinea will enjoy all the guarantees in terms of peace, security and stability.

Strengthening relations with the European Union

On his part, the representative of the European Union for Equatorial Guinea and Cameroon has expressed, among other things, the interest that Equatorial Guinea is also an active part of the programs that the European Union carries out in the region. Programs focused especially on such road issues as the fight against maritime piracy in the Gulf of Guinea, the conservation of the environment, the fight against climate change and the protection of the Congo basin, among others.

The meeting concluded with the firm commitment to continue working to consolidate relations between the European Union and Equatorial Guinea.

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