EU commissioner to propose partnership with China over Africa
BRUSSELS (AFP) — The European Commission will unveil plans in the coming months for a partnership between the European Union and China over Africa, EU Development Commissioner Louis Michel said Wednesday.
Michel said he would present the partnership plans after his first official visit to China in March amid mounting concern in Europe about the Asian giant's growing influence in the resource-rich continent.
In order that the partnership would not be drawn up "on the back of the Africans," the commissioner said he wanted it to be discussed together between Africa, China and the EU.
He did not elaborate on what form the partnership could take or what issues it could cover.
"The aim is to reinforce the partnership with China in Africa," Michel told reporters, stressing that "Africa has become a sought-after continent rather than a seeking continent."
Asked what interest China would have in such a partnership, Michel said the "African elite" was becoming aware about China's growing interests on the continent, which "would inevitably incite reactions."
"I have the impression that this idyllic relation between Africa and China is inevitably going to end," Michel said.
