Africa is back in the political and commercial spotlight following the China-Africa summit last year.

The just-concluded Second European Union (EU)-Africa summit endorsed a joint strategy in Lisbon, to form an ambitious new partnership between the two continents.

The issues of poverty reduction and development have long been a thorn in Africa's growth. Also, it is the cause of many serious problems such as diseases and conflicts.

In this regard, whether an Africa policy or strategy can work depends on the results of their economic development and poverty reduction.

The EU has never treated Africa as an equal partner. Jose Manuel Barroso, president of the European Commission, said that the EU should make Africa a priority of its external policies. He said it is high time the EU shook off the unhelpful and out-of-date image of the donor and the beneficiary and moved onto a responsible adult relationship of genuine and effective partnership that is based on mutual respect and political dialogue.

In reality, the European countries have continued to play the masters of Africa. When they extend a helping hand to African countries, they attach political strings including democracy, good governance and human rights.

These political demands, however, have not worked well.

The EU has included four main objectives in its joint strategy, with reinforcing and elevating the EU-Africa political partnership as the priority. The partnership envisages strengthening institutional ties and addressing common challenges, especially peace and security, migration and development, as well as environment protection. At the summit, the 53 African and 27 EU nations papered over their differences over Zimbabwe and Darfur.

The crux of the matter Africa is eager to solve is the tangible aid that could help lift it out of poverty and hunger. The continent with the brightest sunshine on earth would also like to be full of vitality.

The EU talked to Africa after seven years because it has come to realize the increasing value of the continent. Africa's crude oil deposits, which account for 10 percent of the world's total, indicate the continent's economic worth.

The EU has adopted an energy policy aimed at exploiting the international market, Africa in particular. The political reality of the new partnership will require a change of mindset of European countries, as Barroso said.

(China Daily December 11, 2007)