Speaker
Rebecca Kadaga and EU ambassador to Uganda Roberto Ridolfi share a
toast with President Museven during Europe Day celebrations at the
ambassador’s residence in Kololo
New Vision
Saturday, May 11, 2013
President Yoweri
Museveni has said Africa should learn from Europe which has avoided war
for the last 60 years and integrated to consolidate its development and
economic muscle.
“Europe had difficult times like the 100 year wars, 30 year wars, war
of Napoleon, the German war, the First and second World Wars and
others. But for 60 years or so, there has been no big war,” Museveni
told EU diplomats and their guests at the celebration of the May 9,
Europe Day.
The celebrations, which included a cocktail at the residence of the
European Union Ambassador to Uganda, Roberto Ridolfi, in Kololo, was
also attended by the Speaker of Parliament, Rebecca Kadaga.
“I congratulate you for being a world example in those two aspects of
avoidance of war and integration and I wish Africans could learn from
you. I congratulate you on Pan-Europeanism,” Museveni said.
He amused the gathering when he said it was his first outing in 27
years. “The increasing purchasing power in Africa is important for the
whole world including Europe. So if the relationship between Africa and
Europe is properly utilised, it can achieve a lot.
“We should not mess it up by raising peripheral issues and making
them major. What is crucial is our mutual interests, communication and
geographical proximity,” Museveni added.
Ridolfi commended the EU-Uganda government joint effort “built around
some battles in the war against corruption.” He also praised Uganda for
its role in regional security, especially in Somalia. He pledged EU
support towards Uganda’s development, including introduction of an
agriculture and agri-business equity fund. He disclosed that European
countries want to create a Uganda-EU Chamber of Commerce.