Historical Background of DEVE From post-colonial policies to strategic partnership: A Marshall Plan for Africa? As Africa is home to the world’s fastest-growing economies and largest population growth rates, it is becoming an increasingly important actor in the ever-changing global geopolitical landscape. In the face of growing migration pressures from Africa, ongoing immigration concerns within Europe and increasing Chinese presence, what role should the EU development policy and governmental international aid programmes play in shaping the future euro-african relations? Since its beginnings in the 1957, the EU’s (then EEC) and its Member States’ approach towards development and international cooperation has undergone significant changes. Beginning with arrangements between the EEC and former colonies of some Member States, relations with African countries and the Middle East and Eastern neighbouring countries have progressively developed with the aid of instruments such as the European Development Fund, and a range of agreements, conventions and partnerships. A particularly significant milestone was the establishment of the EuropeAid external cooperation office in 2001. Ten years later, it was merged with the European Commission Directorate-General for Development and Relations.
However, in the last decades other international actors have started extensive cooperation partnership with African countries, in the optic to secure trade opportunities and gain political leverage. The plan for a new Silk Road running between China and Africa promises a boost in trade for the former, as well as significant development opportunity for the latter. Long focused on commercial activities, the Chinese government is now expanding its remit to bolster military relations and pursue subtler, soft-power strategies across the continent. At a time when the US seems to retreat from its usual international activism, what should now be the EU position?