EU’s new 2nd-largest embassy in Kenya’s capital to be gateway to East, Central Africa

The European Union has recently inaugurated its second-largest embassy in Kenya's capital, Nairobi.

The embassy was officially opened by EU foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini who held a joint news conference with Kenyan Foreign Affairs Cabinet Secretary Monica Juma. Federica Mogherini is an Italian politician who has served as High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy since November 2014.

Federica Mogherini said that unveiling of the new embassy is proof of Kenya's pivotal role as a regional hub and gateway to East and Central Africa.

Speaking to local media, Mogherini said: "We see Kenya as not only a gateway to the region and to Africa but also as an important hub. I was pleased to inaugurate our new EU embassy here in Nairobi; it is the second largest in the world and this is not by coincidence."

She noted that during her meeting with Juma they discussed trade, blue economy and regional security matters. Mogherini arrived in Nairobi following a visit to Somalia's capital, Mogadishu. "Our investments both economically and politically, in terms of security cooperation is key for the European Union and we value Kenya's partnership enormously," Mogherini added.

"We discussed our cooperation on important regional issues that are important to regional security and global peace. EU continues to support the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) and we continue to support the full implementation of the roadmap we've established together with our Somali partners," she said.

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