[PRESSWIRE] Brussels, – 2 February 2026 — Tanzania and the European Union have agreed to deepen their strategic partnership, focusing on regional peace and security, rules-based trade and increased investment, Tanzanian officials said after high-level talks in Brussels.
The renewed engagement followed meetings over the weekend between a Tanzanian delegation led by Foreign Affairs Minister Mahmoud Kombo and senior EU officials, including the bloc’s foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas and representatives of the European Commission and European Parliament.
Kombo said the discussions aimed to strengthen practical cooperation and position Tanzania as a reliable partner in promoting stability and economic development in East Africa.
“Tanzania remains committed to pragmatic and predictable partnerships that deliver tangible results for both sides,” he said.
The talks covered peace and security cooperation, trade facilitation and investment frameworks, as well as development priorities aligned with Tanzania’s national transformation agenda.
Kombo met the EU’s Political and Security Committee, the ambassador-level body that coordinates the bloc’s foreign, security and defence policy, as well as European Parliament Vice-President Younous Omarjee and EU Commissioner for International Partnerships Jozef Síkela.
Tanzanian officials said the engagements were consistent with President Samia Suluhu Hassan’s foreign policy approach, which emphasises multilateralism, respect for sovereignty and sustained engagement with international partners.
The EU’s cooperation with Tanzania currently focuses on green development, job creation, human capital development and governance, areas expected to underpin future programmes and investment mobilisation.
Discussions with Commissioner Síkela centred on development cooperation and investment, with Tanzania highlighting priorities such as skills development, value addition and resilient infrastructure to support employment and long-term growth.
The delegation also held talks at the European Parliament, reinforcing parliamentary diplomacy as part of broader Tanzania–EU relations, particularly in trade and governance.
Engagement with the EU has taken on added significance following Tanzania’s general election in October 2025. The EU is one of Tanzania’s largest development and trading partners and a key stakeholder in multilateral cooperation.
Kombo told EU counterparts that Tanzania remained committed to transparency and institutional strengthening, citing the establishment of an independent commission of inquiry to examine the causes of post-election violence.
“Sustained dialogue with the European Union is essential to maintaining confidence, continuity in development cooperation and stable investment flows,” he said.
The Brussels meetings underscored Tanzania’s efforts to pursue a more proactive and results-oriented foreign policy aimed at advancing national interests while strengthening international partnerships.
– Tanzania and the European Union reaffirmed and deepened their strategic partnership during high-level talks held in Brussels, focusing on peace and security, trade, investment and development cooperation.
– The Tanzanian delegation was led by Foreign Affairs Minister Mahmoud Kombo and engaged senior EU leadership, including the EU foreign policy chief, the European Commission and the European Parliament.
– Discussions aligned with Tanzania’s foreign policy under President Samia Suluhu Hassan, which emphasises multilateralism, predictable partnerships and respect for sovereignty.
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