Africa-Europe Summit was a tremendous success

African delegations participating in the Africa-Europe Summit all asserted that the Summit was a historic event that marks a new era in Africa-Europe relations.

In a pre-departure statement, Secretary General of the Organization of African Unity (OAU) Dr. Salem Ahmad Salem hailed the great efforts exerted by Egypt to render this summit a success.

Chadian Foreign Minister Muhamed Saleh Al-Nazeef said in a statement to Al-Akhbar that the Summit acquires its importance from the fact that Europe was a former colonial power in Africa.

"We agreed on removing land mines that have long threatened development plans in Africa and claimed many lives," he said. "As for African debts, which amount to 350 billion dollars, France, Morocco and Germany declared a write-off of their share of these debts," he added.

Other African officials lauded the Summit, asserting it was a tremendous success, enabling Africa to enter into dialogue with Europe on equal footing, which highlights a new role for Africa.

Portuguese Prime Minister Antonio Guterres, whose country is currently presiding over the European Union, sent thanks cable to President Mubarak expressing his gratefulness for Egypt's overwhelming hospitality during the Africa-Europe Summit.

He praised Egypt's prominent role regionally and internationally under President Mubarak.

On the other hand, French Security Expert Christian Bruto, said that Egypt's Security Authorities proved great efficiency during the Africa-Europe Summit.

In a message forwarded to Egyptian Security bodies, the French expert said that Egypt's major cities rank among the safest and most secure world cities, judging by the testimony of all important visitors to Egypt in the recent period.