Carlos, the other detached staff to the AU, from the EC arrived on Monday. We were both invited to the EU delegation on Friday for a small party as the Head of Delegation was leaving that day. The building is off the Bolle road and used to be the East German embassy. The security is very tight and must have cost a fortune to install. However, inside there is a separate house which must have been the East German ambassador’s house. Here there is a lovely garden which is where the party was held. It was very interesting to meet the people there who were, I guess, one third local, one third officials and one third young experts. The Young expert category is a great opportunity to work in a delegation in Africa for 3 years and manage aid and development projects.
The delegation is changing, as next year there will be a separate EU delegation (Council, Commission, Member States) to the AU. I believe eventually there will be a new building called Europe House where both delegations will be based, but that must be 3 years off. We stayed there until about 14-00 and then returned to the AU. Many at the delegation have Friday afternoon off, working longer hours on the other 4 days.
