Co-operation between European and African Greens

Brussels, 10 December 197

A small strategy meeting will be organised in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso, January 30-31, 1998, involving representatives from the European Federation and the Green Group in the European Parliament, the African Coordination as well as Greens from east and southern Africa. It was yesterday decided that the Ouagadougou meeting will be financed by Green Forum of Sweden.

There are basically two aims of this meeting:

a) to draw up an overall plan for cooperation between the Greens in Africa and Europe over the next few years, including a common strategy and an action programme. We also want to to establish, consolidate and enlarge Green networking among African Greens and between European and African Greens.

b) to start cooperation on specific topics and in specific areas. A joint working group should be set up to prepare the Euro-African congress, which should now be scheduled for late in 1998. The preparatory work comprises exchange of views and information on the topics of the Congress (the democratization process in Africa - desertification and poverty in Africa - fisheries agreement - toxic waste - the Lomé convention and debt), and working out common positions.
At this stage I should mention, however, that the late 1998 Euro-African congress does not yet have full financing, and we therefore look forward to your ideas and suggestions.

With this strategy we have chosen a good formula, I think, for keeping the momentum and also developing the cooperation between the Greens in Europe and Africa. I hope for your understanding of recent problems and look forward to cooperating with you in the work that lies ahead!

Best Green Wishes,

Ralph Monoe
Secretary General
European Federation Green Parties