German President Koehler demands fair trade for Africa

from Earthtimes


Algiers - German President Koehler demanded fair trade terms for Africa Monday as he opened a partnership forum in the Algerian capital. Koehler urged the world's industrialized nations to remove tariffs on processed products at the Africa Partnership Forum which brings together the largest donor countries with African nations.

"We need policies and practices that ensure that Africa's riches in raw materials benefits the people there," Koehler said.

Algeria derives a large income from exporting oil and gas, but the benefits do not seem to have reached the Algerian people.

Koehler, who is visiting Algeria until Wednesday, is the first German president to make an official visit to the country.

Algerian President Abdelaziz Bouteflika stressed his country's aim of combatting corruption.

"The fight against this plague requires the mobilization of all African countries and their partners," he said.

The partnership forum in Algiers was organized by Germany in its role as president of the Group of Eight (G8) leading industrialized countries.

Koehler is scheduled to visit Mauritania after Algeria.

Before returning to Berlin, he is also expected to make an official visit to Malta.