Africa-Europe challenged by common causes - Mattarella

(ANSA) - ROME, JAN 28 - Africa and Europe need to work together to defend peace and the destiny of humankind, President Sergio Mattarella said on Sunday evening during an official dinner at the Quirinale Palace to mark the opening of the Italy-Africa summit in Rome.
    "We are challenged by common causes that see the value of peace and, therefore, the destiny of humanity at risk," Mattarella told participants.
    "Exploring the extraordinary potential for the development of relations between Africa and Europe in the political filed, to extinguish hotbeds of tension and conflict; in the economic field, to achieve sustainable production and an equitable distribution of resources; to increase the heritage of our respective cultures, is the task before us," he added.
    The head of state drew on a "very wise" African proverb to illustrate his point.
    "If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together," quoted Mattarella.
    "If ours is to be a common path, aimed at achieving the goals of well-being and peace in Africa, Europe and the world, we need to put our respective wills into play jointly," he said. (ANSA).