Addressing a joint news conference with Mr Antonio Tajani, vice-chairman of the European Commission in charge of transports here, President Wade said solid roads must be built on the continent, instead of roads that will deteriorate after a few months.
He stressed the need for feasibility studies before the construction of infrastructure, noting that donor countries were reluctant to finance feasibility studies.
Invited by the European Commission in his capacity as the coordinator of the New Partnership for Africa's Development (NEPAD) for infrastructure as well as information and communication technologies, the Senega lese head of state highlighted the importance he attaches to the building of infrastructure for Africa's development.
He disclosed that NEPAD had identified 8 major areas for Africa's interconnection.
''Africa is only separated from Europe by 14 kilometres at the straits of Gibraltar. For the development of exchanges, we need to dig the channel under the straits which is an efficient means to control illegal immigration,'' President Wade said.
On the issue of immigration, he deplored the European policy in this area, while congratulating Italy and Spain which have concluded with Senegal agreements that made it possible for the Senegalese to legally work in these two countries.
Thus, he said, 70,000 Senegalese live and work in Italy and 45,000 others in Spain.
He said that Africa was increasingly turning towards emerging economies such as Brazil, India and China because they offer credits at much softer conditions.
President Wade was invited to Brussels for the presentation on European Union-Africa partnership entitled ''Connecting Africa with Europe: towards the consolidation of cooperation in the area of transport''.
Brussels - 24/06/2009
Pana
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