” “As to the summit of December 8th and 9th, the Commissioner for Development and Humanitarian Aids, Louis Michel, adds: "We have to look at this summit as at the beginning of a new era in the relations between Europe and Africa". This summit "must mark the end of a relationship imbued with conservatism, sometimes detrimental to both parties, and start to recognise he true opportunities that are offered to both". Michel hopes in "a partnership inter pares", not just "in terms of rights, but also in terms of duties, and may words turn into actual facts". The summit should adopt an action plan for the period 2008-2010, "which will help us make progress within eight specific partnerships" about different issues, such as: democratic governance and human rights; trade and regional integration; development objectives of the millennium; energy; climate; mobility; employment; science and information society.” “
