from PEDRO AGOSTO in Luanda, Angola
Angola Bureau
LUANDA, (CAJ News) – THE African Union – European Union (AU-EU) Summit has opened in Angola with a call by the host continent for multilateralism rooted in equality, balanced trade partnerships and the lifting of tariff and non-tariff barriers.
Delivering the keynote address at the seventh summit on Monday, Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, the Chairperson of the AU Commission, also appealed for greater European investment in Africa’s mineral transformation to enable the minerals to be processed locally, as well as reduction of the digital divide.
He believes with these issues addressed Africa will soon become the powerhouse for global growth.
“Market, manpower and national resources are as abundant as never before,” Youssouf told delegates in Luanda.
At the two-day summit, he said the continent was making progress to be a key player in the different stages of the global value chain.
“Our role as a raw material supplier will come to an end soon. Therefore, we are calling for more balanced trade partnerships.”
Youssouf added, “I am pleading for European investments in the transformation process of our minerals on the continent.”
He lamented that the issue of tariffs was hampering the access of African products to the European market.
“I am finally calling for a stronger and more viable multilateralism based on equality, respect for all nations and advancing the common vital global interests.”
The AU chief also mentioned Africa sought genuine partnership and cooperation to reduce the digital divide.
“All other socio-economic sectors depend on and are conditioned by these prerequisites at the international level.”
The summit is held under the theme, “Promoting Peace and Prosperity through Effective Multilateralism.”
– CAJ News