AUC Chairperson Ping meets president Obiang Nguema of Equatorial Guinea

MALABO, Equatorial Guinea, November 28, 2011/African Press Organization (APO)/ -- President Theodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo of the Republic of Equatorial Guinea and Chairperson of the African Union (AU), received in audience on Thursday 24 November 2011, Dr. Jean Ping, Chairperson of the African Union Commission (AUC) in his palace in Malabo. The meeting took place on the sidelines of the Africa – South America (ASA) meetings which were held from 22-25 November 2011, at the Sipopo Conference Center in Malabo, Equatorial Guinea.

President Obiang Nguema expressed satisfaction with the preparatory meetings ahead of the 3rd ASA Summit to be hosted by his Government in 2012. He also hoped that the Summit will take concrete measures which will ensure that the ASA partnership moves to a higher level of cooperation aimed at benefiting the populations of both regions.

Dr. Ping updated the President Obiang on the measures and state of preparations of activities leading to the ASA Summit and expressed appreciation for the support of the Government of Equatorial Guinea to the efforts of the AU Commission to ensure the full implementation of the decision taken by AU Heads of State Government during the Malabo Summit in June 2011.

Dr. Ping reiterated to the Chairperson of the Union the Commission's commitment to follow-up on the successful implementation of the “ASA Action Plan”.

The two personalities also discussed issues of mutual interest with respect to the socio-economic and political development of the continent. They both underlined the importance of building strong partnerships between the African Union and the different stakeholders in the rest of the world.

The Chairperson of the Commission also had discussions with several Foreign Ministers from Africa and South America who attended the meeting.