Luxembourg's development cooperation - Annual report 2015

Population 0,5 million
Surface area 4 033 km2
GNP per inhabitant (PPP in $) 6 094
Classification in HDI 122/188

On 5 July 2015, the date of its national holiday, Cabo Verde celebrated the 40th anniversary of its independence gained in 1975.

In terms of bilateral relations, 2015 was marked by the official visit of the Grand Duke, accompanied by the Minister for Development Cooperation and Humanitarian Action, Romain Schneider, and the Secretary of State for the Economy, Francine Closener, from 10 to 12 March at the invitation of President Jorge Carlos Fonseca. The visit took the delegation (which also included some private sector representatives) to several islands (Santiago, São Vicente and Santo Antão) and provided the opportunity to inaugurate the Renewable Energy Centre and the student halls of residence for the catering college as well as to hold a forum on the economy. 

As part of the official visit, the ICP IV – with a budget of 45 million euros for the 2016-2020 period – was signed on the island of Santo Antão. The 16th partnership committee, chaired by the Secretary of State of the Luxembourg’s development cooperation External Relations, Maria de Jesus de Mascarenhas, and the Director of Development Cooperation, Martine Schommer, took place on 9 March and enabled stock to be taken of the development cooperation programme. 

The appointment of a resident ambassador to the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg in October 2015 is an additional indication of the excellent state of bilateral relations and highlights the economic diplomacy between the two countries.

On 13 October 2015, the ministerial meeting of the Special Partnership between the EU and Cabo Verde took place, co-chaired by the Ministers for Foreign Affairs, Jorge Tolentino and Jean Asselborn, as well as the Minister for Development Cooperation and Humanitarian Action, Romain Schneider. By virtue of the Luxembourg Presidency of the Council of the EU, the latter two persons were substituting for the High Representative and Vice-President of the European Commission, Federica Mogherini. Outside the meeting, the two Ministers of Foreign Affairs signed the Agreement on migration flows and supportive development.