Gabon and the European Union kick off a new phase of their political partnership this Monday, June 8, 2026, at the Palais des Congrès of the Cité de la Démocratie in Libreville. Vice-President of the Government Hermann Immongault chaired a preparatory working session on June 4 to align government positions on the main topics to be discussed with EU ambassadors accredited to Gabon. This session takes place as the country enters its Fifth Republic, following an initial dialogue held in 2024 during the transition period.
Foreign Minister and Cooperation Minister Marie Edith Tassyla Doumbeneny stated that discussions will cover governance, democracy, sustainable forest management, regional and multilateral cooperation, as well as economic prospects. She recalled that the dialogue will also evaluate all aspects of relations between Gabon and the European Union, both within the institutional framework and through bilateral partnerships with member states.
Four priority axes to consolidate the partnership
A joint statement specifies that this second session of the Gabon-EU Political Dialogue falls within the implementation of the Samoa Agreement and is based on four major themes: political reforms, governance, and the rule of law; economic prospects, investment, and the business environment; sustainable natural resource management and energy transition; and multilateral cooperation, peace, and regional security. Both parties also intend to assess progress made, identify shared challenges, and open new cooperation opportunities in strategic sectors.
For Hermann Immongault, this meeting represents a true exercise of sovereignty and economic diplomacy. The vice-president stressed the importance of coherently defending national priorities within a partnership he described as promising. Built on dialogue, trust, and mutual respect, the session is expected to conclude with the adoption of a joint communiqué outlining the main cooperation guidelines between Gabon and the European Union for the coming years.