§ Mr. SimmondsTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions he has had with(a) European and (b) African partners regarding re-scheduling the postponed EU-African meeting that was intended to be held in April 2003; what date and location have been agreed; what impact cancelling this meeting will have on relations between the two regions; and if he will make a statement. [101779]
§ Mr. MacShaneMy right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary discussed this matter with European colleagues on several occasions, including at the General Affairs and External Relations Council on 27 January 2003. The EU has agreed that the EU-Africa summit will be held at the earliest possible date; Portugal has renewed its offer to host it. We are committed to the EU-Africa dialogue and discussions with African partners are being taken forward by the EU troika. African countries recognise that the summit could not be held in April 2003 because it would not have been possible to achieve the broadest participation at the highest level. They also acknowledge the commitment of this Government towards Africa, as shown by our significant development programme, which will rise to £1 billion per annum by 2006, and our support to Africa in a number of multilateral fora, including as one of the prime movers behind the G8 Africa Action Plan announced at Kananaskis in June last year.