Accra, Oct. 31, GNA - The Africa and European Union Troika Ministerial Meeting, which seeks to deliberate on issues concerning peace and security, governance and regional integration opened in Accra on Wednesday.

The meeting further seeks to deepen discussions on joint strategy and actions that would be considered and adopted by heads of state and government when they meet in Lisbon, Portugal, in December this year. Opening the meeting, Mr Akwasi Osei-Adjei, Minister of Foreign Affairs Regional Integration and NEPAD, recalled the vision of Dr. Kwame Nkrumah in achieving a more united and integrated United States of Africa which would be strong and powerful player in the affairs of the world.

Mr Osei-Adjei noted that currently the African Union was engaged in the process of transforming its political and socio-economic aspirations to take its rightful place in the world. "We recognize the importance of moving this process forward, hand-in-had with our genuine and strategic partners such as the European Union."

He said Africa attached great importance to the summit because it would deepen the bond of friendship and ties between them and their European counterparts through a sober reflection on challenges and weaknesses.

Mr. Osei-Adjei stressed the need for an all inclusive and active participation so that the outcome of the deliberations would serve as a signpost for their collective commitments to their development agendas. Mr Luis Amado, Portuguese Foreign Minister on Joint EU, African Strategy, noted that developing states had not been able to tackle issues confronting them hence the need to develop broad and multi-lateral strategies in that direction.

He cited India, China, USA and Brazil as some of the countries that had been able to enforce their global agenda.

Mr Amado stressed the need to create new paradigm for Africa and called for stronger partnership that would move countries forwards and ensure fair and neutral way in tackling global issues.