By Godfrey Olukya 15-2-2014
European Union’s highest ranking diplomat responsible for Africa, Dr.
Nicholas Westcott has hailed Uganda’s input in containing the security
situation in South Sudan and Uganda’s contribution in Somalia and has
invited President Yoweri Museveni to the EU – Africa summit due to be
held in Brussels.
Dr. Nicholas Westcott who is also the Managing Director for Africa,
European External Action Service (EEAS) is in Uganda to meet the
President and to officially invite him to the summit where he will
present a paper on peace.
The Fourth European Union (EU) – Africa summit will be held in
Brussels on 2-3 April 2014 and will be co-hosted by EU President Van
Rompuy and José Manuel Barroso, the President of the European
Commission. It shall be co-chaired by the AU Presidency and will be
held under the theme “Investing in People, Prosperity and Peace”. The
summit is to be attended by Heads of States and Governments.
President Yoweri Museveni yesterday met and held talks with Ambassador
Kristian Schmidt, Head of the European Union and Dr. Nicholas Westcott
who called on him at his residence at the National Leadership
institute in Kyakwanzi.
The President who is currently attending the NRM Caucus retreat was
briefed by his guests about the summit which is aimed at strengthening
the partnership between Europe and Africa and also at finding ways of
building African capacity and stimulating growth that will create
employment among the youth by unlocking their productive potential.
President Museveni informed his guests about the negative economic
impact on Uganda caused by the recent conflict in South Sudan but
added that he was glad to note that the situation is now normalising
and trade is regaining its momentum.
END
