EuropaWorld 12/1/2001 Fontaine Returns From Burkino Faso Visit

The President of the European Parliament Nicole Fontaine undertook a four-day visit to Burkino Faso this week to mark the 7th anniversary of the West African Economic and Monetary Union (WAEMU).

Meeting with WAEMU President, Moussa Toure, she paid tribute to the work that had been done by the organisation to encourage regional integration between its 8 member states - Benin, Burkina Faso, Cote d'Ivoire, Mali, Niger, Senegal, Togo and Guinea-Bissau - and their combined 70 million inhabitants. The EU attaches particular significance to regional economic partnerships, which play a major role in EU-ACP relations. Such integration is also pivotal in reducing conflict in this much troubled continent.

In her talks with representatives of the WAEMU and Burkina Faso, the President focused on promoting democracy within these regional groupings and their member states. Nicole Fontaine also used the opportunity to discuss with leaders the growing AIDS epidemic in Africa and the contribution that the EU can make in helping combat the devastating impacts of the disease. President Fontaine also met with Burkino Faso President, Mr Blaise Compaoré, and addressed the National Assembly to promote a strengthening of EU-WAEMU ties