Africa-EU: President Bouteflika recommends 7% growth rate to achieve MDGs

TRIPOLI (Libya)- President of the Republic Abdelaziz Bouteflika underlined Tuesday in Tripoli that Africa has to reach an annual growth rate of 7% to achieve the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). The Head of State pointed out that the forecasts, as from 2011, are positive with +5%, but this growth rate should be supported and accelerated.

In his speech on “MDGs, agriculture and food security” delivered at the third Africa-European Union Summit, the Head of State said that this is a “challenge for Africa and an opportunity for Europe to strengthen its relations and establish more diversified and mutually profitable cooperation with our continent.”

In this respect, President Bouteflika underlined that Europe can act in concert with Africa at the international fora to serve the objectives defined by L’Aquila Food Security Initiative and to strengthen initiatives relating to food security.