Europe and Africa need each other in order to work in partnership on the numerous common challenges they face, said Alexander De Croo, the Belgian Minister for Cooperation and Development, during a conference preceding the reopening of the Museum of Africa in Tervuren. Last week, Jean-Claude Junker, the President of the European Commission, pleaded for a new partnership with Africa during his annual State of the Union address. “Africa does not need charity, but a balanced partnership, which Europe also needs,” he stated during his speech in Strasbourg. This view is shared by Minister De Croo, who believes that future cooperation between the two continents must start from a position of equals, regardless as to whether the issue is immigration, climate change, business or security. “This is a positive step forwards, not a reason to be concerned,” insisted the minister.
Source: 7sur7.be