Tanzania Strengthens Strategic Partnership with European Union Following High-Level Brussels Consultations

Dar es Salaam – Tanzania has significantly enhanced its strategic engagement with the European Union (EU) following successful high-level consultations in Brussels, led by Foreign Affairs and East African Cooperation Minister Mahmoud Thabit Kombo.

The ministry for Foreign Affairs and East African Cooperation confirmed that Minister Kombo conducted official meetings with EU Vice-President and High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Kaja Kallas, the EU Political and Security Committee (PSC), European Parliament Vice-President Younous Omarjee, and EU Commissioner for International Partnerships Jozef Síkela.

The discussions centered on practical cooperation in trade, investment, peace, and security, while establishing predictable frameworks to support effective programme delivery.

Minister Kombo described the consultations as conducted "at the heart of Europe," representing a deliberate investment in relationship-building across EU institutions.

"They are designed to deepen trust, broaden cooperation channels, and strengthen Tanzania’s profile as a stable, credible, and opportunity-rich partner for trade, investment, and development cooperation," he stated.

Accompanied by a ministerial delegation including Minister of State in the President’s Office Prof Palamagamba Kabudi, Mr Kombo emphasized the importance of rules-based trade, investment facilitation, and multi-sector collaboration.

The minister noted that meetings with the PSC—the EU’s principal ambassador-level forum for foreign, security, and defence policy—provided Tanzania with a platform to present its perspectives and reaffirmed the country’s standing as a reliable partner on regional peace and stability.

Parliamentary diplomacy was prioritized during discussions with European Parliament Vice-President Younous Omarjee, supporting long-term cooperation on governance, trade, and people-to-people relations.

Development cooperation and investment promotion featured prominently in talks with Commissioner Jozef Síkela. Minister Kombo highlighted that Tanzania is prioritizing "bankable, high-impact initiatives that generate employment, skills development, value addition, and resilient infrastructure, in line with our national transformation agenda."

The Brussels consultations align with the foreign policy vision articulated by President Samia Suluhu Hassan, emphasizing pragmatism, respect for national sovereignty, and consistent engagement with international partners.

"Tanzania continues to pursue win-win cooperation models that advance national development priorities while delivering value to our international partners," the minister said.

The discussions followed the October 2025 General Election and ongoing domestic processes, including the Independent Commission of Inquiry into post-election violence.

"Sustained dialogue with the EU ensures these national processes are well understood, while safeguarding continuity in development cooperation, investment flows, and economic confidence," Minister Kombo added.

Tanzania’s delegation in Brussels included Prof Kabudi, Ambassador Swahiba H. Mndeme, Ambassador Jestas Abuok Nyamanga, and other senior officials. Minister Kombo noted that the engagements demonstrate Tanzania is "not a passive recipient of cooperation but a proactive and confident partner, shaping its international relationships and securing practical outcomes for the benefit of our people."