04/06/2007 (Agence Europe) - On Monday, just two days from the Heiligendamm summit, the president of the Commission, José Manuel Barroso, appealed to the leaders of the G8 member nations to support the advances being made in the dossiers on climate change and trade, while placing emphasis on development in Africa. When it comes to climate and energy policy, the “G8 needs to give as strong signal that the whole world can pick up, in the approach to the UN Conference on Climate Change in December 2007”, Barroso said in a press release. On the subject of WTO talks, it is possible to conclude the Doha Round in 2007 “provided that others follow the European example and make substantial moves”, he said. On Africa, he welcomed the “comprehensive approach, more widely based than at previous G8 meetings”. “Debt relief and aid are crucial, but there is so much more to do. So at this G8 we will also discuss issues like how to improve investment conditions, political dialogue on good governance, human rights and the rule of law as well as how to step up the fight against HIV/AIDS, malaria and tuberculosis. This is a sign of the maturity of our relations with our African partners”, said Mr Barroso. (hb)