EU-Africa summit concludes with roadmap for deeper cooperation

The fourth European Union (EU)-Africa summit concluded in Brussels Thursday with a roadmap endorsed by the two continents' leaders to deepen cooperation in five areas.

Over 80 delegations, including 61 heads of state or high officials attended the summit, reflecting the high level commitment to the partnership and determination to deepen it, Xinhua reported.

The leaders endorsed the 2014-2017 roadmap that sets out strategic priorities and identifies the means to implement them in five areas of mutual interest.

These five areas are: peace and security; democracy, good governance and human rights; human development; sustainable and inclusive development and growth and continental integration; global and emerging issues.

Addressing a press conference following the summit, European Council President Herman Van Rompuy said a fundamental shift from aid to trade and investment is taking place under their economic partnership agreements.

"The new EU Pan-African Programme of 844 million euros ($1.15 billion) for the next seven years will contribute to support this process. The EU also hopes to mobilise up to 30 billion euros in investment including for infrastructure through blending with private sector funds," he said.