The European Members of Parliament (MEPs) committee on foreign affairs is scheduled to visit Malawi and Zambia from December 18 to 21 to engage in discussions on collaboration amid geopolitical challenges. The delegation, consisting of five MEPs, will be led by David McAllister, Chair of the Committee on Foreign Affairs from the European People’s Party (EPP) in Germany.
During their stay in Lilongwe on December 18-19, the MEPs will meet with Malawi’s government representatives and parliamentary counterparts to address international and regional peace and security issues of shared interest. Additionally, they will explore Malawi’s reform agenda. Interactions are planned with international organizations, civil society, and EU member states’ representatives.
On December 20-21, the delegation will proceed to Lusaka, Zambia, to engage with government and parliamentary counterparts, exchanging perspectives on geopolitical and regional matters within the framework of Zambia’s chairmanship of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) Organ on Politics, Security, and Defence. Meetings are also scheduled with civil society, international organizations, and EU member states’ ambassadors.
The MEPs aim to strengthen the longstanding partnerships with both countries, focusing on their parliamentary dimensions, particularly in the realm of foreign affairs and multilateral issues. Key topics on the agenda include Russia’s aggression against Ukraine, the Israel-Palestine conflict, EU-Africa relations, EU-African parliamentary cooperation, and EU support through the Global Gateway.
Apart from David McAllister, the delegation includes Željana Zovko (EPP, HR), Michael Gahler (EPP, DE), Tonino Picula (S&D, HR), and Javier Nart (Renew, ES). The Foreign Affairs Committee has prioritized EU-Africa relations, marking its third visit to Africa in this legislative term, with previous visits to Sudan and Ethiopia in September 2022 and The Gambia and Senegal in April 2023.
