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27 October, 2007
Addis Ababa - Ethiopia will provide the necessary support to ensure the success of the African-European Summit due to be held in Lisbon in December, says Prime Minister Meles Zenawi.
Mr Meles said this after being conferred with the United Nations Secretary General's Special Representative for Prevention of Genocide and Mass Atrocities, Francois Beng and holding discussions with European Union (EU) Commission Director General for Development Stefano Manservisi, Thursday.
Mr Zenawi said Ethiopia would contribute its share for the success of the African-European summit.
The leaders at the summit are expected to discuss ways of enhancing co-operation between the continents.
The summit is also expected to assess the major problems in Africa and ways of facilitating condition to address the problems, a senior official from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs who attended the discussion said.
During the discussions, Mr Manservisi briefed Prime Minister Zenawi about the preparations being undertaken for the summit, the official said.
The two sides also discussed the current situation in the Horn of Africa. Mr Manservisi is here to attend the launch of the EU-Africa Infrastructure Partnership programme.
Mr Zenawi also received a message sent from Ugandan President Ugandan President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni through his special envoy and Minster of Security, Amama Mbabazi.
Mr Zenawi and the Special Envoy also deliberated on Ethiopia-Uganda co-operation.
After delivering the message, the Special Envoy told journalists that relations between Ethiopia and Uganda were in good shape.
Besides discussing bilateral issues, Mr Mbabazi said, the discussion also focused on the issues regarding the Horn of Africa.
Similarly, Mr Zenawi conferred with Mr Beng on issues of Ethiopia and neighbouring countries.
The special representative also held discussion with Mr Zenawi on how he could discharge his duties and responsibilities effectively.
On Thursday, South African Foreign Affairs Deputy Minister Aziz Pahad said key issues to be discussed at the summit include climate change and migration, both legal and illegal.
Mr Pahad said that the issue of social alienation of many migrants in Europe would be broached, as well as China's growing involvement in Africa.