12 July 2009
L' Aquila — Angolan Economy minister, Manuel Nunes J ú nior, said on Friday in Rome (Italy) that the USD 20 billion that the will grant for food security in African states will contribute to the improvement of the living standards of the continent's population.
The amount was suggested by the US President, Barack Obama, during the G-8 Summit, an event in which Angola was represented by the Head of State, José Eduardo dos Santos.
Manuel Júnior stated that the amount shall be used to boost agriculture, humanitarian aid, and food reserves, among other fields. "African countries shall have the possibility to elaborate projects and (...) make the population obtain higher living standards", he added.
According to the source, the Angolan President's statement at the summit was greatly applauded by the participants.
President José Eduardo dos Santos suggested the creation of a working team comprising various African sub-regions and the G-8, among other organisation, in order to present, within 60 days, concrete proposals on how to use this monetary value.
The Economy minister said that it was a well accepted proposal and its implementation shall depend on the practical point of view.
To the minister, President Dos Santos called for attention to the fact that the world "no longer regards Africa in the same way" by referred to actions concerning the wrong use of monetary funds.
"Today's Africa is not the same as that of 20 years ago, (...) there are new leaderships, new desires and there is a need to enter a new era of responsibilities. We need to be optimistic that the continent will succeed", he stressed.
In his view, the G-8 Summit was very important because it showed rest of the world's recognition to Africa and the role that the continent can play in the world economy.
Called to comment on the Angola's situation regarding the Paris Club, the official affirmed that a very great effort was made in order to settle it debt with the corridors of the Paris Club.
Minister Manuel J ú nior said that the Angolan President made an amendment concerning this issue, considering the economic difficulties been faced by the country, in particular, and by the world, in general.
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