“Africa is a priority for the Italian presidency”, Minister Frattini

Rome, 5 June . – (ANA) - A crucial political message is going to emerge at the G8 Summit, which is scheduled to be held in L'Aquila from 8 to 10 July, and that message will speak of "strengthened cooperation on an equal footing between the G8 and Africa, in order to allow us to address the common challenges of globalization together".  Those words were spoken by Italian Foreign Minister Franco Frattini in a speech he gave to mark "Africa Day".  The celebrations, held in the Salone dei Corazzieri at Rome's Quirinale Palace in the presence of President of the Republic Giorgio Napolitano, were organized to mark the 46th anniversary of the founding of the African Union.

"Italy has a historic, concrete and realistic interest in Africa; indeed, even more so this year when our government, which holds the G8 Presidency, has made  commitment to the African countries one of the priorities on our international agenda".  Minister Frattini went on to explain that that commitment is what lies behind the decision to invite "a great African country such as Egypt" to attend the summit in L'Aquila and to take part in the dialogue along with the emerging countries in the G5 group (of which South Africa is already a member).  Alongside the G8 leaders' traditional meeting with African leaders, the Italian G8 Presidency has also planned to hold a session involving not only Egypt and the African representatives but also the G5 countries, given that "they have proven to be important investors in Africa in recent years". (ANA)

AB/ANA/ 5 June 2009 ---