Nigeria Content Online

The Libyan President, Muammar Gaddafi
yesterday demanded 5 billion Euros from the European Union to aid the
control of illegal migration into Europe.

Stressing the need to stop the influx
of illegal immigrants from Africa into Europe, Mr Gaddafi also called
on Europe to reconsider giving asylum to politicians.

He was speaking at the opening of the
3rd AU-EU Summit under the theme: “Investment, economic growth and job
creation” holding in Tripoli.

Vice President Namadi Sambo represented President Goodluck Jonathan at the event.

In addition to the theme of the Summit,
participants also brainstormed on issues related to regional
integration, infrastructure, ICT, science, and private sector
development. Views were also exchanged on energy, climate change,
space, the MDGs, agriculture and food security, amongst others.

The Summit is a concretization of the
Joint Africa-EU strategic partnership adopted in December 2007 in
Lisbon with the aim of enhancing the socio-economic and political
development of both the European Union and the African Union for the
interest of both populations.

This year’s summit is expected to last from November 29 to 30, 2010.

On the issue of Somalia pirates and the
challenge of identifying their sponsors, Mr. Gaddafi asked rhetorically
if the “United States or Somalia is the sponsor”.

Bringing up his clamour for a United
States of Africa, he expressed the need to separate cooperation with
Africa based on the regions; West Africa, South Africa, East Africa or
Central Africa, to a unified collaboration with the continent for
meaningful bargain with Europe.

He also called for the reform of the UN
that will centralize its operations to make all countries equal rather
than a few nations on the Security Council.

Mr. Gaddafi also said he would like to
see the benefits of the Mediterranean Sea impacting on the development
of Africa as well as meeting the energy needs of Africa and Europe,
making a reference to Zimbabwe having the capacity to meet the energy
need of Africa if fully utilized.

He further stated that Africa has
advantage over other continents to utilize solar and renewable energy
sources if properly harnessed.

The Libyan president also called for the shifting of the AU-EU
Summit to four years instead of the existing arrangement of three years.