Gutierrez: Africa’s marginalization unacceptable

Portugal's Prime Minister, also the current EU Chairman, said Africa is unacceptably marginalized in the age of globalization.

"Africa’s share in world trade stood at 6 per cent before, versus less than 2 per cent now," Antonia Gutierrez said during the Africa-Europe Summit.

"The moment is opportune for the start of a political dialogue at the highest level, this is not a mere historic conference, but the beginning of a continuous march," he said.

"The African and European sides have in fact agreed on the formation of a technical body to convene on a regular basis, the holding of a ministerial meeting and organizing a second summit," he said.

The Portuguese Premier said there was a very urgent need for Africa’s economic integration into the international-community, adding that Europe has a major role to play in this respect.

"Africa and Europe will examine in detail political issues pertaining to peace, democracy and human rights," he added.

"The international community must adopt an effective supper program that would open the markets of advanced countries to the exports of the poor and transfer technology and investment to them," he elaborated.

He also referred to the need for mechanisms that should be encouraged by Europe to eliminate conflicts and crises in Africa.

"Egyptian-Portuguese relations, have become very strong and Portuguese investments in Egypt are on the rise, to the Arab world and the African continent, Egypt is leader and a pioneer, and Europe always seeks Egypt involvement in all key matters, given its pivotal role on the African and ME arenas," Gutteirrez added.

He expressed hope Palestinian-Israeli negotiations would be maintained and result in the establishment of a Palestinian state and that the Syrian-Israeli peace track would be reactivated despite recent problems.

Gutierrez said he spoke two days ago with his Israel counterpart Ehud Barak, who voiced his government's intention to withdraw from South Lebanon.