RECAP: Europe-Africa Working Breakfast

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Critical raw materials are not only an industrial priority. They are increasingly central to Europe’s economic security, energy transition and global partnerships.

Last Tuesday, the Belgian-Portuguese Chamber of Commerce organised a working breakfast at the European Parliament on “Europe–Africa: Critical Raw Materials, Energy Security and Strategic Investment”, bringing together representatives of the European institutions, the diplomatic community and leading experts for a timely and substantive exchange.

Hosted by MEP Paulo Cunha, Head of the Portuguese Delegation within the EPP Group, the discussion explored how the European Union can build stronger, more resilient and mutually beneficial partnerships with Portuguese-speaking countries in this strategically important field.

We were honoured to hear contributions from:

▪️ H.E. António Costa Moura, Ambassador of Portugal to Belgium

▪️ Paz Velasco Velázquez, Head of Unit at the European Commission’s Directorate-General for International Partnerships (DG INTPA)

▪️ Madalena Barata da Rocha, Research Analyst at Bruegel

▪️ Pedro Silveira Borges, Partner at Sérvulo & Associados, who moderated the roundtable and contributed his expertise to the discussion

▪️ Diogo Cristiano, Minister Counsellor at the Embassy of Angola

▪️ Paulo Henrique Zerbinati, Counsellor at the Mission of Brazil to the European Union

The exchange highlighted both the scale of Europe’s critical raw materials challenge and the importance of sustained dialogue with international partners. Building secure and diversified supply chains will require long-term cooperation, strategic investment and partnerships capable of generating lasting value on both sides.

Our sincere thanks to MEP Paulo Cunha for hosting the initiative and for his valuable opening remarks, as well as to all the speakers and participants whose perspectives enriched the discussion.

The CCBP will continue to foster dialogue between institutions, businesses, experts and the diplomatic community on issues of strategic importance to Europe and the Portuguese-speaking world.