Unia Europejska-Afryka Subsaharyjska: stosunki u progu XXI w.

Abstract

Leaders of the EU member states intend for the European Union to become a global actor in international relations. Accordingly, relations with countries of the South, including Sub-Saharan Africa grow increasingly important and complement those held with European countries and the United States. The article presents the policy of the European Union towards the countries of Sub-Saharan Africa at the beginning of the 21st Century – its background, evolution, goals and forms. The author presents geostrategic, political, economic and historical factors that determine the nature of cooperation between the EU and African countries. Particular attention is paid to the fact that Sub-Saharan Africa has been a source of many challenges for Europe security-wise. Their consequences, such as large numbers of refugees, growth of organised crime and international terrorism and the problem of international debt of African countries, may – over a long-term perspective – affect socio-economic development and political stability of the European Union. The author also discusses the process of institutionalisation of relations between the EU and Sub-Saharan states, focusing on the importance of the Cotonou Agreement. The article presents an analysis of political, economic, development-promoting and humanitarian cooperation between the two regions. Finally, the role and position of Poland in shaping EU policy outside Europe is highlighted, with a description of Poland’s attitude towards relations with Africa. The author describes principal challenges facing Polish foreign policy towards developing countries.