British, French Foreign Ministers leave

Accra, (Greater Accra) 11 March '99,

Britain and France today expressed their willingness to co-operate with Africa to find solutions to her economic and political development. Mr Robin Cook, British Foreign Secretary and his French counterpart, Mr Hubert Vedrine, said this in a joint pre-departure press conference at Kotoka International Airport after their two-day visit to Ghana. The Foreign Ministers acknowledged that their visit was the beginning of a partnership with Africa, saying this would be beneficial to both sides. They said as leading members of the EU, they are well placed to assist Africa in her bid towards economic emancipation. They said their countries have already taken the initiative with the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund (IMF) to relieve Africa of 300 million pounds sterling debt. They said poor African countries and those that are performing well economically would be their priority as far as debt relief is concerned, adding that the relief would be one of the ways to move Africa's economy forward. The two foreign ministers said political stability would ensure a sustained economic development, stressing that it was their desire to consolidate the rule of law and good governance in Africa. On Sierra Leone, the ministers said they held discussions with President Jerry John Rawlings on how best France and Britain would co- ordinate their efforts in finding lasting solution to the crisis. "It is essential that peace and the rule of law are restored in Sierra Leone and now that there is a legitimate government there the people should be able to live without fear," Mr Cook said. He said the UK was supporting ECOMOG with transport and medicine and was exploring avenues for negotiations with the rebels to secure a ceasefire and integrate them into society. The two foreign ministers left for Cote D'Ivoire. GRi