As usual for several years, the European Union (EU) delegation organized on Friday, November 26, 2021, a press lunch for media officials in Benin. Led by the EU Ambassador to Benin, Sylvia Hartleif, this meeting made it possible to outline the prospects for cooperation between the two partners over the coming years.

Mobilized alongside its partners, in particular the least developed States including Benin, to jointly meet the challenges related to human capital, sustainable economic growth and development, peace and security, and many other areas, the European Union (EU) intends to make strategic investments in Benin over the period 2021-2024 and 2025-2027. This, according to Benin's electoral calendar and the duration of the government's strategic documents. This is what should be remembered from the Multiannual Indicative Plan for Benin (MIP), presented to media officials by EU Ambassador Sylvia Hartleif on Friday, November 26, 2021.

Extending over seven (07) years, the PIM, the next framework for cooperation between the EU and Benin, is, according to the EU Leader, scheduled to be implemented in two (02) phases (2021 -2024 and 2025-2027) on the basis of the most urgent priorities which are, among others, in the sectors of environmental protection and biodiversity, good governance, peace and security, port ecosystem, energy, human capital and job creation. For the first phase, 2021-2024, an allocation of 255 million euros, or more than 167 billion FCFA is announced. The allocation for 2025-2027 will be subject to a decision following a mid-term review.