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is high time the EU shook off the unhelpful and out-of-date image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)
