00:00First of all, let me just ask you, what are you doing in Africa?
00:03Well, today we signed the first security and defense partnership with the African country in Ghana.
00:09And we are exploring ways where how we can more cooperate on different topics.
00:16So security and defense, I mean, the security situation in the world is increasingly more difficult.
00:22You have your worries when it comes from, you know, the region of Sahel, but also from the piracy.
00:31We have our security threats, but we can definitely work together on countering terrorism, on cybersecurity, on issues that matter
00:39to both our citizens.
00:41I understand you were in Nigeria as well.
00:43I'm wondering in terms of this kind of security arrangement, how does Nigeria fit in here?
00:47We know the challenges Nigeria is facing.
00:49How is the EU trying to help Nigeria in dealing with these current challenges?
00:53Yes.
00:54Well, we had also very intense discussions with Nigeria.
00:59And, of course, we have many projects where we are helping Nigeria to, you know, build connectivity when it comes
01:06to infrastructure projects.
01:08For example, the cables for Internet and such things.
01:13And we were discussing as well the challenges regarding the countering terrorism that is very, very acute.
01:21We are supporting their fight against Boko Haram.
01:23And we have been, you know, standing shoulder to shoulder with them.
01:27In terms of concrete support, what are you giving them?
01:31What are you helping the African countries with?
01:33You talk about Nigeria, Ghana.
01:34We also have border with the Sahel country.
01:37What exactly are you giving?
01:38Well, today in Ghana, we were giving equipment, for example, drones, but also anti-drone capabilities, what Ghana authorities were
01:49telling us, that they need to really guard the border.
01:53Whatever is coming, they need to have the awareness.
01:56Yes, but also motorcycles and cars and also, you know, tools to fight the electronic warfare.
02:03Now, we are supporting, of course, also the different approach when it comes to economy, because I think it's important
02:13that we also deal with the root causes of instability, which are stemming from economy.
02:20And therefore, you know, our support in various projects via the global gateway, but also, you know, different support mechanisms
02:29that we have.
02:31And this is important that we continue to see what more is there.
02:37We also were exploring the bilateral possibilities.
02:42I mean, what we are interested in, critical raw materials, and also what kind of cooperation we could have there.
02:49Plus, also energy.
02:51This was the question that we were discussing.
02:53Two questions before I go.
02:54I will understand you.
02:55I'm in signal.
02:56But in Africa, we see what Trump is doing in terms of transactional deals.
03:01We know of China, what they are doing.
03:03We know of what Russia is doing in Africa.
03:05What really is the strategy of EU in Africa?
03:09Yes, we have not been the transactionalist.
03:13So, we have been trying to help African countries, because you are our neighbors, and our neighbors' problems today are
03:20our problems tomorrow.
03:22So, that's very much interlinked.
03:23But we are developing also now more, you know, these balanced partnerships.
03:28Because, like I say, for example, regarding energy, regarding critical raw materials, also we are interested in, you know, the
03:37support that African countries could give in these relationships.
03:43So, that we are providing the technologies, but the jobs will remain here, so that also the critical raw materials
03:50that we need for our technologies can be used, but also it's a value added here in Africa.
03:57So, obviously, you are interested in some of the resources on the continent.
04:01Of course, we are interested, but we are interested in a different way.
04:04We don't want to abuse the resources.
04:06We want that the benefit of these resources remains with the Africans.
04:11For us, it is important that there is jobs and growth here in Africa, because then, if there is jobs,
04:18there is also less instability, and there's also less migration pressure to Europe,
04:23because people don't really want to leave their homes until, or unless they really have to.
04:29So, it's really in our interest that African countries prosper.
04:32On the Middle East, what is going on in Iran, obviously, there are challenges with oil and prices going up,
04:39and we know that Europe also, obviously, is also suffering from this particular conflict.
04:45Is there any way you are looking to Africa for some of your energy supplies?
04:49Let me talk about oil, because, of course, Africa has the resources.
04:52We were talking today, and also yesterday, regarding gas, because there is really 20% of the liquefied gas that
05:03comes from Qatar via the Strait of Hormuz.
05:0685% of it goes to Asia.
05:08They are really struggling, and, of course, we are not so dependent, but still, I think it's important that we
05:15are diversifying and finding ways,
05:17because, because from West Africa, you don't have the Strait of Hormuz that is actually really hindering this transit.
05:27Okay, finally, do you think that this trip has been a success?
05:30Do you think you've achieved what you came here to do in Africa?
05:32Yes, I think we have had very good meetings, and also, I'm really happy of this first security and defense
05:39partnership that we signed with Ghana,
05:41because it also shows that it's a partnership that we can build on, because your security matters to us, and
05:48it's vice versa the same.
05:49Thank you so much.
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