French Minister lauds Ghana's pacific role

French Foreign Minister, Mr Dominique De Villepin on Saturday lauded Ghana's long tradition of committing its security agencies to international peace-keeping missions and efforts towards conflict resolution in the West African sub-region as the best example of international relations.

"Ghana is the real destination for today's world," he said while pledging the support of France to facilitate such efforts to resolve especially African Regional crisis.

Mr Villepin made these observations during a meeting with his Ghanaian counterpart Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo Addo in Accra as part of a series of meetings with members of the Executive before flying home.

The French Minister who was on a two-day official visit met with President John Agyekum Kufuor at the Osu Castle on Friday where they discussed efforts to deepen bilateral relations.

Mr Villepin referred to the bloody conflict in Liberia and La Cote d' Ivoire and commended Ghana for its positive interventionist role to end the crisis.

He said France had a long historic commitment towards Africa, adding that his visit to Ghana was part of this vision to strengthen existing relations.

Mr Villepin gave a word of honour to forge solidarity with the Ghanaian government to consolidate efforts towards good governance, democracy and development.

Nana Akufo Addo acknowledged the geo-political influence of France in the sub-region and the personal interest of the French Minister in the Region.

He said the democratic process in Ghana was a difficult journey to promote respect for the rule of law and fundamental human rights and asked French to support in facilitating the venture.

At another meeting, Defence Minister Dr Addo Kufuor urged the French government to support efforts aimed at integrating the sub-region that according to him was divided along the lines of Francophone and Anglophone countries.

He also sought for French influence to facilitate the implementation of the West African Gas Pipeline Project.

Dr Kufuor said the project was an ample demonstration of the commitment of the leaders of the sub-region at forging a partnership for mutual development.

He lauded the existing co-operation between the Ministry of Defence and France, culminating in the establishment of a French language laboratory to train the military staff in the country.

Dr Kufuor said areas of assistance included training of staff for the emergency national response unit and the Kofi Annan UN Peace Keeping Centre under construction.

He also asked for the deepening of relationship with governments within the sub-region to strengthen their preparedness in conflict resolution.

Mr Villepin restated the commitment of France towards the maintenance of peace in Africa and cited French involvement in the Congo and La Cote d'Ivoire.

This, he said, was enough demonstration of the commitment of the countries within the EU to open a new chapter of relationship with the continent.