European commission endorses preparatory document on Africa-Europe summit
The European commission has endorsed the preparatory document of the Africa - Europe summit slated to be held in Cairo in April 3-4.
According to the document, one of the major goals of the summit is to draw the whole world's attention to Africa's importance and potentials.
The summit equally seeks to integrate Africa in the world economy through the promotion of inter-African and Euro-African trade, the consolidation of African countries' role within the World Trade Organization, and the promotion of a Euro-African partnership geared towards peace, democracy and progress, the document states.
The summit will be preceded by an extraordinary meeting of the council of foreign ministers of the European Union countries.
Several Heads of State and government both from Africa and Europe are expected to attend the Cairo summit.
the summit--whose idea was initiated by Portugal four years ago-- is considered both historic and the first of its kind. Two consultation meetings will be held in Brussels and Lisbon before April 3.
According to the Pan-African news agency PANA, besides socioeconomic issues, political and developmental questions will be covered.
These include human rights, democracy, good governance, peacemaking, conflict prevention, as well as education, health, including the problems of HIV/AIDS and environment, PANA said. The EU is expected to announce the cancellation of the 1 billion euro debt to Africa, the 680 million euro in Trust Fund for Heavily Indebted Poor Countries and 320 million euro cancellation of debt owed to the Community.
