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The events documented here occurred in 2013 and 2014. References to plans or priorities belong to that period.
Historical record · Brussels · 2014
The fourth Africa–Europe summit
A recorded guide to the April 2014 meeting, the themes considered by participating delegations and the forums that informed preparations.
Brussels hosted the two-day summit on 2–3 April 2014. This page presents the meeting as a dated historical record.
Summit overview
The meeting considered cooperation involving people, economic opportunity and peace, alongside several connected policy areas.
The summit brought African and European leaders and delegations to Brussels on 2–3 April 2014 to discuss the direction of relations between the two continents. Its programme was organised around investment in people, prosperity and peace.
Discussions covered education and training, the participation of women and young people, migration and mobility, economic growth, employment, peace and institutional capacity for managing security. These themes were considered through the summit itself and a wider programme of forums and preparatory meetings.
Earlier meetings in this summit sequence were held in Cairo in 2000, Lisbon in 2007 and Tripoli in 2010. References on this page should therefore be read in their original historical setting rather than as descriptions of present policy.
Associated events
Four forums brought business, parliamentary, youth and civil-society perspectives into the wider summit period.
31 August–1 April 2014
Business Forum
Discussion of enterprise, investment and the conditions surrounding economic cooperation.
31 August–1 April 2014Parliamentary Summit
A forum connecting parliamentary perspectives with the summit agenda.
31 August–1 April 2014Youth Leaders’ Summit
A space for youth priorities and participation in cross-continental dialogue.
23–25 October 2013Civil Society Forum
An earlier forum gathering civil-society perspectives ahead of the summit.
Dialogue series
Lunchtime seminars
Six informal seminars held from August 2013 to August 2014 examined changes in both continents and their implications for cooperation. The records cover research, international negotiation, regional integration, governance, peace and final messages for the summit.
View seminar sectionPreparatory meetings
Sector-specific meetings developed recommendations and background for the April 2014 programme.
How to read this archive
The summit record is most useful when its date, document type and relationship to later policy are kept clear.
Separate the forums
Associated events, informal seminars and sectoral meetings had different participants and purposes.
Consult documents
Use summaries for orientation, then review dated source records when assessing a formal position or commitment.
Additional dialogue
Commission Fridays
A one-day meeting in Addis Ababa provided an informal setting for policymakers to examine strategic questions before the Brussels summit. The record is retained as part of the broader preparatory process.
Open this Recorded sectionRecorded questions
Essential context for interpreting this historical summit page.
When and where did the summit take place?
It was held in Brussels on 2–3 April 2014.
What subjects were considered?
The programme covered education, training, youth, women’s participation, migration and mobility, growth, employment, peace and institutional capacity.
Are the linked events part of the summit itself?
Some were associated forums, while others were preparatory seminars or sectoral meetings. Their relationship to the main summit is identified by section.
Why are older dates preserved?
The dates establish the sequence and historical context of the record. They do not indicate upcoming events.
Where can I explore related newsroom records?
The newsroom index groups news and event material, including records associated with this summit period.
How can I suggest a correction?
Send the page title, supporting evidence and a short explanation to the editorial email in the footer.