"These days, Lisbon has been a place of dialogue. At the general discussion of the 2nd EU-Africa Summit, we heard various appeals for the respect of human rights in certain African countries. What is important is that the key points in all the documents we aim to adopt have been coordinated. With the recent agreement on the Reform Treaty, its signing and the ensuing ratification, which is to take place next year, the European Union has in a way concluded the discussion about itself and will turn outward. And here, one of the first neighbours is Africa," said the Prime Minister Janez Janša today in Lisbon.
(Photo: Kristina Kosec /Bobo)
According to the PM, Europe needs to be aware that it is no longer alone on the African continent. If, seven years ago, Europe was one of the key players in Africa, the competition from other, non-European countries is now much greater. Faster development and stabilisation of the continent will, in the long run, result in better stability in Europe, primarily through reduced migration flows. Africa has seen great changes in the seven years since the first EU-Africa Summit in 2000. Although some countries still face minor and major problems, development has never been faster. To a large extent, development in Africa has bypassed Europe because of the interest of China, Japan and India.
Prime Minister Janez Janša talks to Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak (Photo: Kristina Kosec /Bobo)
In the PM's view, Portugal made the right decision to organise the EU-Africa Summit, despite second thoughts about Zimbabwe, Sudan and some other countries. Documents the EU will adopt shortly will provide a tool for strengthening cooperation between the two continents in various fields. "At the same time, this will open up space for dialogue on human rights, the strengthening of democratic processes in Africa, and all other issues paramount to the stabilisation of the continent. Without Africa, the next, faster phase of economic development seems hardly within reach," stressed the Slovenian PM.
Slovenian Prime Minister Janez Janša talks to German Chancellor Angela Merkel (Photo: Kristina Kosec /Bobo)
In response to a journalist's question about Sudan and Darfur, the PM said that this was one of the issues that remain unresolved. Most of the talks at the Summit and bilateral meetings that PM Janez Janša attended focused on how to ensure the success of a mission that now also has a UN mandate. "There appears to be a considerable consensus on the issue of human rights violations in Darfur, and the majority of African countries seem to be putting pressure on the Sudanese Government with regard to its cooperation with the international community, which may lead to the success of the mission."
(Photo: Kristina Kosec /Bobo)
Slovenia has its own interests in Africa. Current trade in goods is relatively low, a little over 100 million euros, which is due to the fact that Slovenia has not established a significant presence on the continent, as it has a representation only in Egypt. The PM said that future strengthened cooperation between the EU and African Union with the establishment of the so-called common foreign service would provide new opportunities to Slovenia. "Through it we will be able to reach places we cannot on our own, also due to limited funds. However, Slovenian companies will directly benefit from it," said the PM, also expressing the wish that the Slovenian economic presence on the African continent would increase.
PM Janez Janša talks to John Kufuor, Chairman of the African Union and President of Ghana (Photo: Kristina Kosec /Bobo)
PM Janez Janša also met the Chairman of the African Union and the President of Ghana, John Kufuor. They discussed the further implementation of agreements and commitments made at the Summit. The Slovenian side was also interested in his view of the potential problems in Africa which could emerge during the Slovenian Presidency, and the future and work of the African Union.
Prime Minister Janez Janša and French President Nicolas Sarkozy (Photo: Kristina Kosec /Bobo)
Against the background of the Summit the PM met the French President Nicolas Sarkozy to discuss the Presidency of the European Union and issues not tied only to the Slovenian Presidency in the next year. At the meeting, which was a form of introduction to the planned working visit of PM Janez Janša to Paris on 17 December 2007, they mainly exchanged views on the Reform Treaty ratification process and preparations for its implementation.
