Nordic and African foreign ministers meet in Mozambique

Press release 251/2003
14 October, 2003


Finnish Foreign Minister Erkki Tuomioja will travel to Pemba, Mozambique, on 20-21 October to attend an unofficial meeting of Nordic and African foreign ministers. The meeting is aimed at strengthening dialogue between the Nordic states, Europe and Africa as well as supporting the implementation of the New Partnership for African Development, known as NEPAD. South Africa, Mozambique, Benin, Botswana, Ghana, Mali, Nigeria, Senegal and Tanzania are reported to send their representatives. The meetings in this format were launched in 2001.

The meeting will also focus on African crisis management, cooperation in promoting development and good governance as well as on human rights and democracy. Dialogue, African ownership and partnership, with NEPAD as an encouraging example, are emphasised in Nordic-African relations. Increasing attention has been focused on the development of African crisis management potential with Finland supporting crisis management initiatives in Africa.

Further information: Heli Sirve, Head of Unit for East and West Africa, tel. +358 0 160 56235, and Joonas Heiskanen, Attaché, tel. +358 9 160 55526