The EU-African relations have two contradictory faces. The first face is the colonial ugly one when Europe occupied the black continent for hundreds of years thus leading to the spread of underdevelopment and ignorance as the African continent were divided into small states.

The second face is the bright civilizational one where Europe gives a cultural example in all fields. Europe is the democracy, freedom, liberalism, economic success, equality and transparency. Peoples of Africa follow up the EU-Africa Summit due to be held today in Lisbon with participation of 80 heads of African and European states. President Hosni Mubarak will attend the summit.

The European and African parties have their own agenda, perceptions, and expectations and they are required to reach practical and real formulations to settle the problems of Africa to be accepted by both Africans and Europeans. For example, Africans call for the cancellation of debts owed to European countries in order to provide billions of dollars for the benefit of African economies in the development process, but Europeans see that cancellation of debts will result in nothing unless the African countries apply substantial amendments to their political, economic and social systems thus leading to the realization of transparency in utilizing the public funds.

In addition, Africans call for opening the European markets before the African products and removing constraints in order to allow access of African products and commodities into said markets. Europeans say that Africans must improve quality of their products before delivery to the European markets otherwise no consumers will buy such products. Also, Europeans put some conditions to provide Africa with aid and grants while Africans see that said European conditions lay obstacles before the development processes and call for easing the conditions.

On other hand, Europeans call for stopping the illegal immigration to European countries as it has negative effects on the European societies while Africans call for opening doors before immigration of some citizens to the European countries as a sort of material and moral compensation to the damages caused by the white colonists. On the level of cultural issues or the so-called clash of civilizations, Africans stress that Europe must admit the right of variety and deal with the African habits, traditions and values in full respect. Europeans must not impose ready-made stereotypes on Africa on the political, economic or social levels.

Therefore, the agenda of Lisbon Summit today tackles a number of key issues. It is well known that Egypt has its unique perception to the settlement of African issues and problems which will be reflected by the speech of President Mubarak before the summit today. African leaders must exert efforts to reach the voice of Africa to the world and Europe.

Al Ahram, Editorial
8/12/2007