Chirac says Africa-World gap alarmingly widening
Regional-France, Politics, 2/9/2002

France's President Jacques Chirac warned that international assistance for Africa and the rest of the world is widening in an alarming way. Addressing the New Partnerships for Africa's Development (NEPAD) meeting in Paris on Friday, Chirac said this gap prompted the new initiative for Africa.

This partnership raises many hopes, said Chirac, adding that he lauded it since it popped up in the France-Africa summit, held in Yaounde in June 2001.

Today's meeting aims to enrich the idea especially that it was taken up in G-8 summit in Genoa and will be discussed in the G-8 summit in June in Canada, said Chirac.

He said some industrial countries took part in Paris NEPAD meeting, namely Britain and Canada.

He stressed necessity to refute all criticisms directed to Africa in what regards democracy and social peace.

This new partnership is a likely encouraging factor for all those who might harbour doubts about public assistance for Africa.

The major goal of NEPAD is to help Africa catch up with the international economy in a better way, according to Chirac.

The summit attaches greater priority to vital fields such as infrastructure, agriculture, energy, water, modern technology, training, education and health and environmental protection, concluded Chirac.

Previous Stories:
  African countries to present concerns at summit   (1/17/2002)
  Chirac upbeat over Africa's future   (4/6/2000)

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