Hugo Chaves @ African union Summit

[Nesayem]

African Union Summit to have Hugo Chavez as Special Guest

Banjul, Gambia, Jun 28 (Prensa Latina) The announced presence of Venezuelan president Hugo Chavez at the African Union summit slated for next Saturday in this capital already dominates the venue.


The Executive Council of the AU meeting Wednesday and Thursday, paves the way for the Seventh Ordinary Session of the Assembly of Heads of State and Government to be held next July 1st and 2nd, where Chavez will speak in the opening ceremony.



Venezuela is expected to thank Africa for its international solidarity and is hoping for the continent´s support for its current bid to become a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council, after Argentina vacates its place as representative of Latin America, said the Zambia Sunday Times.



In Caracas, Foreign Relations Deputy Minister for Africa, Reinaldo BolÃ*var, said Venezuela was accepted as Observer of the African Union on December, 2005 and attends the Banjul summit where 53 African heads of state are expected to participate, according to an official press release.



Venezuela, Bolivar said, will have the opportunity to know first-hand the vision of African countries on the way they face different problems like the solution of conflicts, the Acquired Inmuno Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS), poverty and sustainable development.



Although no signing of agreements is expected, Gambia expressed interest in penning a memorandum of understanding and Venezuela will hold bilateral contacts with most of the leaders attending the summit.



The meetings previous to the summit started last Sunday and will last until June 30, giving way to the meeting of heads of state and government on the weekend.



Banjul is a small city of barely 50 thousand inhabitants and capital of Gambia, nation located in West Africa, region most related in history and culture with countries in the Caribbean and South America as a consequence of the slave trade.



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