Pending issues settled prior to Africa - Europe summit

African and European foreign ministers managed to reach Sunday agreement on pending issues, namely the setting up of a follow-up mechanism and periodicity of the summit.

Portuguese foreign minister Jaime Gama whose country chairs the European Union said the two sides examined and agreed on the draft final statements and action plan to be submitted to the summit for approval.

At African request, a meeting of foreign affairs ministers will be held between summits and an Euro - African work-committee will be in charge of the implementation and follow-up of summit resolutions.

The event, he said, is of utmost importance and a genuine turning point in relations between Africa and Europe.