German president chairs conference on Africa

Nov 3, 2007, 13:34 GMT

Eltville, Germany - German President Horst Koehler, whose interest in fighting African poverty has been a main focus of his presidency, opened Saturday a conference attended by four African presidents.

'Despite growing international interconnections, we still know far too little about one another,' said Koehler, who formerly headed the International Monetary Fund (IMF) in Washington.

The presidential conference, the third he has hosted, took place in the ancient former monastery of Eberbach, in vineyards near the town of Eltville, west of Frankfurt.

The 44 top officials and intellectuals were to spend two days with Koehler discussing 'African and German answers to the challenges' of globalization.

Nigerian President Umaru M. Yar9Adua was set to give a lecture on the effects of globalization on Africa.

Mozambique's President Armando Guebuza was in Berlin the previous day for a state visit and took part in the meeting, along with presidents Festus Mogae of Botswana and Thomas Boni Yayi of Benin.

The German president is not involved with the day-to-day running of the country, but focuses on loftier issues. Koehler's 'Partnership with Africa' project advocates an open dialogue not dominated by the Europeans.

The first German conference on Africa was held in November 2005 near Bonn and the second last year in Ghana.

Internet: http://www.partnerschaft-mit-afrika.de/