Algerian Radio
Heads of State and Government participating on Friday in Addis Ababa in the 2nd Africa-Italy Summit insisted on the need to establish a new model of cooperation between the two parties, founded on respect for national sovereignty and common interests. They affirmed that balanced partnerships, based on reciprocity and trust, enable the achievement of sustainable development serving the interests of the peoples.
Co-chaired by the President of the Council of Ministers of the Italian Republic, Ms. Giorgia Meloni, and the Chairperson of the African Union (AU), President of Angola Mr. Joao Lourenço, in the presence of the Chairperson of the AU Commission, Mr. Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, and the United Nations Secretary-General, Mr. Antonio Guterres, the Summit provided a space to exchange views and examine ways to strengthen strategic partnerships, in alignment with the development choices of African countries.
In an address read by Prime Minister Mr. Sifi Ghrieb, the President of the Republic, Mr. Abdelmadjid Tebboune, emphasized that based on the common African vision, "Algeria affirms that the success of the Italy-Africa partnership requires making economic and social development in Africa the axis of all cooperation, as well as respect for national sovereignty and development choices, strengthening coordination with the AU Agenda 2063, guaranteeing sufficient financing, and the effective implementation of projects."
"Africa places at the top of its priorities the establishment of balanced partnerships, based on reciprocity, trust, and long-term common interests, rather than on situational or unilateral approaches," stated the President of the Republic, affirming that Algeria is convinced of the potential of the Italy-Africa partnership.
In this regard, he reaffirmed Algeria's readiness to continue contributing to the success of this partnership in a "responsible and constructive spirit," calling for a new stage (of the Mattei Plan) that is more ambitious, inclusive, and effective, "with a view to building together a prosperous common future serving Africa and Italy."
For her part, the President of the Council of Ministers of the Italian Republic, Ms. Giorgia Meloni, stated in her opening address that this Summit "aims to write a new page in the history of relations between the two parties and to build a totally different model of cooperation, based on trust and mutual respect between equal partners, far from the paternalistic approach that has long tarnished relations between Africa and Europe and the West, and which has often prevented grasping the specificities, or indeed the enormous potential, of African peoples."
She also highlighted that the real challenge in establishing this new partnership lies in "enabling Africa to benefit from its wealth, to offer jobs to its youth, to locally process its primary resources instead of having them plundered, and to exploit its agricultural lands," while "tackling the root causes of migration."
"It is a shared responsibility and not a situational interest. We have committed to this path outside of any logic imposed from above or ready-made models, by working together with humility and respect," she maintained, highlighting the importance Italy attaches to Africa, notably through the Mattei Plan, which has enabled a "radical change" in the approach to Africa.
For his part, Ethiopian Prime Minister Mr. Abiy Ahmed Ali, whose country is hosting this summit on the eve of the 39th Ordinary Session of the AU Summit, insisted on the importance of forging a new relationship between Italy and Africa, "founded not on dependence but on dignity, and not on exploitation but on mutual prosperity." "A relationship definitively turned towards the future that we will build together," he added.
In this regard, he highlighted the importance of the Mattei Plan in promoting sustainable development, managing migration flows, and developing human capital, within the framework of a "unified" strategy resting on mutually beneficial partnerships.
He also praised the dynamism of African youth, underscoring the necessity to invest in it to create jobs and unleash potential.
Participants in the 2nd Africa-Italy Summit intend to strengthen partnerships between the two parties, evaluate the progress made two years after the first summit held in Rome in 2024, and define future cooperation priorities, particularly in the fields of sustainable development, infrastructure, energy, education, training, health, and agriculture, in alignment with the axes of the Mattei Plan for Africa.
