EU-Africa Summit Starts In Belgium

The Summit, the fourth, will discuss trade, peace and security.

President Kenyatta, who joins other African Heads of State and Government in advancing the African agenda at the summit, will present the Kenyan position on global issues.

The theme of the meeting is “Investing in People, Prosperity and Peace”.

The conflict in the Central African Republic (CAR) is set to top the agenda as the leaders of 80 African and European Union (EU) states meet.

According to the Summit’s programme, African leaders will be pushing to bridge the existing trade imbalance that is currently heavily in favor of the European Union member states.

The leaders will also be seeking to level the playing field and transform the relationship between donor and recipient into one of partnership rooted in equality.

The EU and its 28 member states are the largest donors of development assistance to Africa, spending over 18.5 billion Euros in 2012 alone.

The Summit will also discuss ways of creating incentives for investment and stimulating growth that would create jobs for young people.

Security will also feature prominently in the Summit with President Kenyatta highlighting issues on regional security, especially recent events in Somali, South Sudan, Central African Republic, Egypt, Madagascar and Mali.

An overwhelming majority of leaders from both continents are attending but Zimbabwe will not be represented after the Belgium refused to temporarily lift a visa ban on President Mugabe's wife.

Mugabe received support from South African President Jacob Zuma, who chose to boycott the Summit in a show of solidarity for his Zimbabwean counterpart.

By Angel Mboya

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