Brussels, 18/04/2005 (Agence Europe) - The European Commissioner for Development and Humanitarian Aid, Louis Michel, met the future president of the World Bank, Paul Wolfowitz, in Washington last Saturday, to whom he outlined the priorities of the European Commission in terms of development cooperation, particularly as relates to Africa. “I feel it is vital for us to work together, because honest and constructive cooperation between the European Commission and the World Bank can genuinely make all the difference, especially in Africa”, Mr Michel told Mr Wolfowitz, according to a press release. Messrs Michel and Wolfowitz also recognised that the time was ripe to do more for Africa and the boost coordination between the principle donors.
Mr Michel, who was in Washington for the springtime meetings of the World Banks and of the International Monetary Fund, also took part in a World Bank seminar on Africa, where he met the current president of the Bank, James Wolfensohn.