Asia-Africa summit ends with a lot of proposals but no commitments
Jakarta (AsiaNews/Agencies) Asian and African leaders yesterday ended the Asia-Africa summit by announcing a "new strategic alliance to boost trade and tackle poverty", but participating countries have not made any concrete commitments.
Representatives of almost 90 states representing three quarters of the world population met in Bandung for two days of meetings and discussions from April 22 to 24.
Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono warned that, although not officially ratified, the de facto pact adhered to by participating countries requires a commitment of mutual support.
Analysts believe that this type of meetings might help in dealing with common problems such as AIDS but will not affect endemic problems like poverty.
The meeting was held in Bandung where 50 years ago the movement of non-aligned countries was born. However, for some experts, any comparison between this summit and he old movement is out of place because the international situation is different since the old East-West divide is no longer.
The next summit is scheduled for South Africa in 2009. (PB)
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30/08/2012
