The 4^th Europe - Africa Summit has opened in the capital of Belgium and headquarters of the European Union Institutions, Brussels, with President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf among 54 African and 28 European countries attending the two-day summit.

According to a dispatch from Brussels, during the working session on peace and security, the Liberian leader used the opportunity to call for more robust, honest, and concerted efforts to stop the proliferation of small arms in Africa.

She said though the adoption of the Arms Trade Treaty is a giant achievement, both the EU and Africa  are lagging in the robust implementation of the treaty; therefore, there needs to be more effective EU-Africa cooperation to achieve this objective.

The Liberian leader emphasized that while conflict resolution efforts are worth commending, both the EU and Africa need to focus more attention on conflict prevention, highlighting the Liberian experience during its years of crisis and the huge negative toll it had on the society.

President Sirleaf also touched on the unemployment challenge on both continents; urging that youth unemployment be put on the front burner. “Youth unemployment is a threat to peace and security, especially in post-conflict fragile states,” she pointed out.

She said the sub-region is very grateful for the initiatives of the regional institutions, ECOWAS and the African Union, supported by the European Union and the United Nations to restore constitutional order in several African countries as “conflict in one country is conflict in all; conversely peace in one country engenders peace in all.”

President Sirleaf saluted the gallant role played by France in the restoration of stability and democratic rule in Mali and its current intervention along with African troops in the Central African Republic. She cited Liberia’s modest contribution to the peacekeeping efforts in Mali by contributing a small contingent of Liberian troops, despite the country being considered a post-conflict and fragile state.

Earlier, at the formal opening of the summit, the President of the European Council, Herman Van Rompuy, in his remarks, reiterated that both continents, Europe and Africa, need each other and that Europe is and wants to remain Africa’s largest trade, investment and development partner. He said opening up trade will benefit both sides.

“Make no mistake: there are things on which Europe needs Africa’s help. We need your help to tackle climate change, which threatens all of us; to manage migration so that it benefits both of us; and to improve the security of both continents,” Rompuy said. He repeated that Europe is committed to help Africa bring an end to conflicts on the continent, and will support the continent’s aspiration to silence the guns by 2020.

Providing a synopsis of EU’s assistance to Africa, Mr. Rompay highlighted the financial assistance that EU provides through the African Peace Facility that has almost doubled for the next three years; the deployment of EU civilian and military missions and operations from Mali, Democratic Republic of Congo, Somalia, and most recently the launch of its ninth African operation in the Central African Republic, in collaboration with the United Nations. “We are also united in finding a determined response to extremism and terrorism through our joint actions in the Sahel,” he said.

The European Council President said as the theme “Investing in people, prosperity, and peace” suggests, it is expected to address people’s everyday concerns – their safety and security, their job prospects, and their future as families and individuals. “All should be able to live free from fear and all should have the possibility to prosper where they live,” he emphasized, warning that it is now for leaders to signal the strategic direction for the partnership, to set priorities for the future, and to confirm their commitment to deliver them.

For his part, the President of the European Commission, José Manuel Borraso said the EU’s vision of the world is one of cooperation and not competition, of openness and not retrenchment or exclusivity. He said history shows that people and countries prosper when they open up to the world, when they expand their trade, and when they exchange ideas.

Mr. Barraso reiterated that the EU partnership with Africa is a partnership based on mutual respect and a partnership of equals. “Our partnership with Africa, like with any other partner, is constructed as a bridge and not as a barrier to more global cooperation. For us the era of spheres of influence should be over. We need to replace it by wider circles of convergence,” he said.

United Nations Secretary-General, who also made remarks, said as both continents advance on peace and security, they also face a crucial moment in the pursuit of economic and social development. He urged them to accelerate progress while crafting a new sustainable, inclusive agenda for the years ahead. “Both Africa and Europe have shown leadership – including through the European Union’s Council conclusion on Post-2015 and the African Union’s Common Position on Post-2015.”

Mr. Ban, in his statement, urged the summit focus on the vital need to empower women and gender equality, ensure that the voices of young people are heard, advance on food and nutrient security and ensure that they leave no one behind.

“Europe and Africa share proximity and history,” Mr. Ban said, “ideas and ideals, trade and technology,” adding, “You are tied together by the ebb and flow of people.

He noted that migration presents policy challenges, but also represents an opportunity to enhance human development. Promote decent work and strengthen collaboration.

The UN Secretary General urged both continents to stay true to universal values and not to succumb to opportunists who seek to divide societies and exploit fears for political gain. “Across the range of challenges, solidarity must be our guide. Let us draw on the collective force of the people of Africa, Europe and the world – and build a life of dignity for all.”

Mauritanian President, Mohamed Ould Abdel Aziz, whose is the current presidency of the African Union (AU), stressed the need for reinforcing the economic and commercial cooperation between the two continents, while calling for more coordination in the security field, notably in the region of the Sahel so to reduce terrorist threat. Also making a statement was the chairperson of the AU Commission, Dr. Nkoazna Dlamini Zuma.

The summit closes on Thursday, April 3, with a closing ceremony and a joint press conference.

Meanwhile, on the fringes of the summit, President Sirleaf held talks with Mr. Mark Simmonds, MP; Minister for Africa at the Commonwealth Office of the UK at the headquarters of the European Union.

During the meeting President Sirleaf welcomed the British Government’s proposal to assist the country with its infrastructure development, particularly the Roberts International Airport rehabilitation.

She highlighted government’s five year, Agenda for Transformation, and its efforts in ensuring peace, stability and good governance, as well as closing the gap of inequalities amongst all Liberians.

The Liberian leader appealed for British private sector investment to compliment the country’s economic development efforts which will also create jobs for the unemployed, especially youth.

Earlier, MP Simmonds, informed President Sirleaf of his government’s interest in assisting the country with infrastructure development, security sector reform, specifically the training of police officers, and the promotion of private sector investments.

He also expressed his concern about the recent outbreak of the Ebola virus in Liberia and offered his government’s assistance to help curb the spread.