Africa looking towards India, China: Senegal president

Senegal's President Abdoulaye Wade Wednesday criticised European Union (EU) policies towards Africa and said the continent was looking towards India and China for its economic needs, EuAsiaNews reported.

Addressing a press conference in Brussels Wednesday, the Senegalese president accused the EU of isolating Africa and raising barriers against "black Africa".

"We don't want the Mediterranean Union to serve as yet another obstacle or separate Europe from Africa. We have to react to this closing off everything from the Sahara to South Africa," he said referring to the Union which was formed last year to boost cooperation between the EU and North African countries bordering the Mediterranean.

"We are looking to Latin America and India to think more of South-South cooperation. These emerging economies can supply Africa for a long time. This needs to be borne in mind," said Wade.

He noted that "Africa wants to cooperate with Europe," but warned that "if Europe closes itself off from Africa, we have India, China, Brazil knocking on our doors to offer us the same thing that Europe has been offering at a better price with excellent conditions involving loans for 15 or 20 years.

"It is a reality that has to be analysed," he added.

Last updated on Jun 24^th, 2009 at 23:15 pm IST--IANS