Brussels, 12/12/2005 (Agence Europe) - On Monday, the General Affairs Council adopted the EU strategy for Africa, which was proposed by the European Commission on 12 October, and which will be enshrined by the European Council of Thursday and Friday (EUROPE 9047). "Europe has shown clearly that it intends to change the way it (...) cooperates with Africa (...). We must avoid adopting a paternalistic approach: our mission is not one of providing substitutes for the States, but of reinforcing their abilities (...), and improving the management of public affairs", said development Commissioner, Louis Michel, in a press release. At the meeting of the EU/Africa ministerial troika, which was held last week in Bamako, the Commissioner and his African counterparts decided to establish a joint roadmap stressing the need to define specific projects, "limited in time, and to share out the responsibilities correctly" between those taking part (see EUROPE 9083). The press release indicates that as of the beginning of 2006, the Commission will step up preparations to achieve the initiatives proposed within the strategy: Euro-African partnership for structures and networks, an initiative for governments, a euro-African trade forum bringing together entrepreneurs and public and private investors, and the Nyerere programme, including student exchanges, and promoting the development of centres of excellence throughout the African continent.