Libyan Leader Will Highlight Goal for Greater Cooperation in the
Mediterranean Rim Will Continue Advocacy for Resolution of Darfur Crisis and Greater African Unity
LISBON, Portugal and TRIPOLI, Libya, Dec. 6 /PRNewswire/ -- Libya's
Leader, Muammar al-Kaddafi will attend the EU-Africa Summit in Lisbon,
Portugal, from Dec. 7-9 where he will call for greater cooperation between
Europe and Africa, especially between those countries in the Mediterranean
Rim, which historically and geographically have strong ties.
Libya's Leader will highlight the following at the EU-Africa Summit:
1. The EU-African-Mediterranean Dialogue: Libya's Leader views continued
discussion of the formation of a union of states around the
Mediterranean Rim as important to both regions. The idea of the
formation of such a union, based on economic interests, was a topic of
interest earlier this year.
2. Greater cooperation on resolving the Darfur crisis: In October, Libya's
Leader convened peace talks between the Sudanese government and Darfur
rebels in an effort to resolve the humanitarian crisis there. At the
summit, Libya's Leader will continue in this leadership role and call
for further talks to bring the warring factions together.
3. Greater Africa unity: Libya's Leader has long supported a strong and
united African Union and will lobby for even greater cooperation among
African states, especially in light of the growing economic strength of
the European Union and Asian countries like China.
Libya is situated as a crucial gateway on the African continent, making
it strategically vital to the EU as it cements relations with the AU, of
which Libya's Leader is a leading voice and advocate. Libya's Leader
envisions a strong African continent with stable governments and strong
relations with the EU, which boasts some of the world's fastest growing
economies and influential governments.
Libya's Leader has recently been very vocal in articulating his views
on issues vital to Africa in a series of key addresses to African leaders.
In a speech titled "Africa's Urgent Need of Stability", Libya's Leader
called for political stability across the continent as essential to its
future. Libya's Leader specifically said, "Without political stability, no
strategic program of economic transformation can be implemented. Among the
essential elements of stability are the continued and stable role of the
political leadership and the existence of a political, social, and legal
frame of reference."
Libya's Leader has also been a leading voice for African unity. In a
separate speech in Senegal, Libya's Leader said on that subject: "There
must be a united foreign policy, a united economy and a united defense,
which would lead in the final analysis to a united negotiating position ...
We will have no prospects except through a strong negotiating position,
which can only come about if Africa has one foreign minister and one
minister of foreign trade."
Libya's Leader also views immigration issues as vital to the future of
EU- AU relations. He has previously addressed this topic in a speech to a
joint EU-AU audience.
Libya's Leader's attendance at the EU-Africa Summit comes on the eve of
his visit to France and Spain. While in France, Libya's Leader plans to
meet with French President Nicolas Sarkozy. The two last met in late July
and discussed a range of important topics, including peace in Darfur,
growing the Libyan-French strategic partnership in Africa and nuclear
energy for non- military uses.
