“This journey is a way to attract in Germany and Europe more attention to the emerging
Africa”. This is the meaning given by the President of the Federal Republic of Germany, Joachim Gauck on his official visit on February 10 at the ECOWAS Commission.
Speaking to several hundred people from the region, President Gauck praised ECOWAS successes and pledged that Germany and Europe will stand beside the West African community as partners.
Economic strength and technological renewal, cultural diversity and the commitment of civil society in West African cities such as Lagos, Dakar, Accra, Abidjan represent true centers of interest for German companies and investors, he said.
President Gauck asked the West African community to continue its integration efforts, responsibility and regional solidarity.
Talking about the migration issues, the President of the Federal Republic of Germany, Joachim Gauck explained that the lack of prospects and hopelessness play, a major role in population migration. Immigration to Europe will not solve the fundamental problems of African development. “We need to eliminate all causes of migration.
Joachim Gauck concluded his speech on the violations of human rights that should not be tolerated. “Anyone who violates human rights should be held accountable”, he said.
Earlier, the President of the ECOWAS Commission Mr. Kadré Désiré Ouédraogo, in his welcome remarks asked for a minute of silence in memory of the victims of the train accident that occurred this week in Germany. He then reported on the progress made by ECOWAS in the political, economic and institutional plans. Among the achievements cited by President Ouédraogo, there is free movement of people goods and capital, the adoption of common passport, visa abolition, the adoption of the national biometric identity card, the promotion of peace and democracy, the development of infrastructure, agriculture, energy, education, culture youth and the promotion of gender.
The President of the ECOWAS Commission also highlighted the regional market, consolidation process through the trade liberalization scheme, adoption and implementation of the ECOWAS CET, the institutional reforms for better management of community activities. According to the President of the Commission, these achievements were possible thanks to a strong political commitment and community involvement based on the values of solidarity for peace and progress.
President Ouédraogo took this opportunity to commend the European Union and particularly the Government and the German people in this process, particularly in the area of peace, security, regional competitiveness, trade, energy, health and institutional capacity building. The President of the ECOWAS Commission also expressed the ECOWAS gratitude to the Government and the German people and especially to Chancellor Angela Merkel for her commitment to the development of Africa in general and ECOWAS in particular.