Apr. 4, 2000

His Excellency Brother Abdel Aziz Bouteflika, President of the Democratic People's Republic of Algeria, Current Chairman of the Organization of African Unity,

    His Excellency Mr. Antonio Guterres, Prime Minister of Portugal, Current President of the European Union,

    Honorable guests, I have the pleasure to address you at the close of this historic conference that has truly embodied the deeply entrenched relations binding Europe and Africa while raising common positive visions of the future.

    There is no doubt that our discussions over the past two days have constituted a starting point of a new phase marked with genuine and joint determination to deepen cooperation between Africa and Europe based on understanding and integration in such a way that maintains mutual and common interests of both continents.

    We hope that the conclusion of this summit would mark the commencement of a real partnership and we look forward to immediately launch serious action to put this partnership into force.

    Thus, our institutions will be able to start working together for enhancing relations in all fields and addressing problems on top of which is the African debt crisis.

    This should be done within the framework of the plan of action, we have formulated together and the principles contained in the Cairo Declaration governing the action of such institutions.

    We, in Africa, view partnership with the European Union as a real opportunity to cement our relations in the interest of our peoples.

    Within this framework, there are issues that should be placed right from now on top of our joint and multi-sided interests.

    It is imperative that peace and stability prevail and that our peoples proceed with their socio-economic development projects. This can be achieved by augmenting foreign investments in Africa, opening European markets to African products and even assisting African countries to be active and real trade partners.

Esteemed Guests,

    This is a historic moment, where we all witness the birth of a new partnership, whereby both parties seek joint interest so that such partnership would contribute to the formation of the new world economic order.

    In recognition of the importance of this joint commitment and responsibility, we forge our way towards the future armed with the spirit of co-existence, tolerance and understanding.

    I am fully confident that what we have already built here, in Cairo constitutes a common vision and one working programme with the purpose of enhancing cooperation, fostering the movement of global community and formulating the features of an equitable world order at the outset of the twenty-first Century.

    On this occasion, I would like to express my personal thanks and those of the Egyptian people to you all as well as to all your friendly peoples. Thanks are also due to all those who sincerely contributed to create a favourable atmosphere to make this historic summit a success; thus providing a solid base for joint action until the next summit will be held in 2003.

    While wishing you all a safe return home at the end of the deliberations of the first Africa-Europe Summit, I would like to avail myself of this opportunity to convey my sincerest thanks and appreciation to my brother President Abdel Aziz Bouteflika, OAU Chairman and Mr. Antonio Guterres, EU President for their efforts to make this historic summit a success.

Thank you