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In December 2005, the Heads of State and Government of the EU adopted a new Strategy for Africa, with the title "The EU and Africa: Towards a Strategic Partnership". This new Strategy has been drawn up on the basis of a proposal from the Commission, which was presented in October the same year.

The purpose of this Strategy is to give the EU a comprehensive, integrated and long-term framework for its relations with the African continent. It designed to guide interaction between the whole of Europe and Africa at all levels: pan-African institutions such as the African Union, regional organisations and African countries.

Every two years, starting in December 2006, the highest political body in the EU, the European Council, will consider the progress in implementing the Strategy.