§ Mr. BercowTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the(a) agenda and (b) conclusions of the Franco-British meetings with African delegations held in New York on 22 September; to what extent (i) EMU, (ii) European politics and (iii) security policy was discussed; and what future meetings are planned. [95220]
§ Mr. HainThe following press release was issued after the meeting in New York on 22 September
At the invitation of Britain and France, Foreign Ministers Robin Cook and Hubert Vedrine had a meeting in New York this morning with Amara Essy, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Cote d'Ivoire; Jean Ping, the Minister for External Affairs, Cooperation and Francophonie for Gabon; Alhaji Sule Lamido, the Minister for Foreign Affairs for Nigeria; and Adhi Bonaya Godana, the Minister for Foreign Affairs of Kenya.This meeting represents a further significant step forward in the efforts of Britain and France to develop, with African partners, joint strategies for cooperations on the continent.The meeting focused on the current crises affecting the African continent and on how all concerned could join together to help resolve them.It was agreed that Africans and Europeans must work more closely together to address the challenges facing the continent. Participants underlined the importance of vigorous joint action to end conflict, tackle poverty, debt and AIDS, promote good governance, and boost trade and investment.All welcomed the opportunity for discussion and agreed on the usefulness of further harmonising the African and European perspectives. The Ministers agreed that further discussions between UK, French and African Permanent Representatives in New York would enable the dialogue to be continued and deepened. They further agreed that their countries would work together whenever possible on issues of mutual interest before the Security Council.French and British officials are working on the practicalities of another meeting.