Africa-EU transport links discussed at forum

22 October 2009

Improved transport infrastructure between European Union countries and Africa will help the latter's economic development.

This is according to vice-president of the European Commission Antonio Tajani, who spoke while an action plan for strengthening these links was unveiled this week at the Euro-African Transport Forum (EATF) - part of the TEN-T Days 2009 event in Naples.

Cooperating with other nations was key to forging ahead and improving safety and security in Africa as well as broadening trade opportunities, he explained.

Mahmoud Ahmed Ibrahim, commissioner for infrastructure and energy of the African Union Commission, told delegates the continent has already welcomed partnerships with different countries in order to implement vital infrastructure programmes - and this is another one.

She added: "The EU-Africa Infrastructure Partnership is one of the key partnerships that Africa expects to result in significant progress in infrastructure development in the continent."

Civil aviation is one area already being worked on, Mr Tajani concluded.

Other EATF speakers included Karim Ghellab, minister of transport for Morocco and Abdoulaye Wade, president of the Republic of Senegal.

Category: Transport