EU-Africa summit ends in trade deadlock

[dong20]

I'm disappointed, if unsurprised.

EU-Africa summit ends in trade deadlock - Yahoo! News UK

I am however very impressed by Lisbon...what a great city. I will definitely have to go back in '08! :smile:

 

[b.c.]

No, not surprising considering the miasma of complex issues (political, economic, and otherwise) in dealing with Africa (in general). As one observed in the article, one can hardly expect to iron out agreements on what has been overlooked (or ignored) for years.

Add to that the complications of continuous poverty and famine, the exploitations (of people and natural resources) by outside interests, the various ongoing "civil" wars; and reaching accord on any significant and permanent level becomes exceedingly difficult if not impossible.

Disturbing to me, however, was reading how leaders such as Mugabe continue to be held (in the eyes of other African leaders at least) as some kind of hero. Hero of independence, perhaps, once upon a time. But his record on human rights and the treatment of his own people hardly merit such an honor.