With the participation of President Hosni Mubarak, the EU-Africa summit was held in Lisbon to push forward the African-European relations in favor of boosting political dialogue and cooperation. This strategic partnership realizes the interests of the African peoples and helps them face challenges and solve their problems. Africa exerts serious efforts to boost democracy and enhance the values and principles of human rights and combat poverty. In truth, Africa suffers from armed conflicts, the burdens of foreign debts, the problems of refugees, the conditions of international trade besides other problems in the fields of energy, environment, unemployment, illiteracy and infectious diseases.

In his speech before the summit, Mubarak reiterated Africa's need to a partnership in order to boost security, peace and contain armed conflicts and terror. The President confirmed that the EU-Africa partnership would boost trade and investment and enhance Africa's efforts aimed at realizing high rates of growth, employment, job opportunities and training. This would simply open legitimate channels before the African nationals to work in Europe, being in no need for illegitimate migration.

Editorial, Al Akhbar
10/12/2007