|
President Mugabe leaves for
Paris today to attend the 22nd Franco-Africa summit, which begins tomorrow.
The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Cde Stan Mudenge, and senior Government officials will accompany the President. He is expected to join several other heads of States from Africa to discuss French-Africa co-operation. The summit is expected to discuss modalities of how French assistance to the continent can be managed. Senior Secretary for Foreign Affairs, Cde Willard Chiwewe said issues of democracy, good governance and the rule of law, as they relate to Africa, were also expected to be discussed. The summit will tackle issues such as the prevention and settlement of conflicts, development of natural resources, health, education and the improvement of agriculture with a view to poverty reduction. French President Mr Jacques Chirac extended the invitation to Cde Mugabe last month out of the "firm conviction" that his presence at the summit would help promote democracy, justice and human rights in the country, according to French Foreign Ministry spokesman Francois Rivasseau. The invitation does not violate the European Union sanctions imposed on Cde Mugabe and his Cabinet last year as a waiver on the travel restrictions has been put in place. The EU parliament last week agreed on a "derogation" to allow Cde Mugabe to attend the summit. The French Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a statement the theme for the summit would be "Together in the New Partnership".
The Mulindwas Communication Group
"With Yoweri Museveni Uganda is in Anarchy" Le groupe de transmission de Mulindwas " avec Yoweri Museveni, Ouganda est dans anarchy " |
