MALABO - Egypt has a vested interest in communicating with friendly African states and offering support and assistance to African development plans, said Egyptian Prime Minister Essam Sharaf Friday. "Egypt will put Africa atop of its priorities as the coming phase will see a boost in Egyptian-African relations," Sharaf said on the sidelines of the opening of the 17th African Union (AU) summit in Malabo. Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas is participating in the summit to review the latest developments of the Palestinian cause. "Egypt is playing a vital role in promoting Arab-African cooperation," he said. "Egypt uses its political, economic and investment capabilities to promote co-operation between Arab and African states," he added. Sharaf held talks with presidents of Uganda, Tanzania, and Botswana as well as the Prime Minister of Ethiopia on bilateral relations and the developments in the African continent. Egypt has called for establishing a post-conflict reconstruction fund to rebuild African countries hit by wars and fighting. He called for floating initiatives to support peace and security in Africa. Sharaf gave the speech on behalf of the Head of the Supreme Council of the Armed Forces (SCAF), Field Marshal Mohamed Hussein Tantawi. On Sudan, Sharaf said Khartoum is passing through a critical stage of its history as southern Sudan heads for formal secession on July 9. The Prime Minister called on Sudanese officials in the North and South to solve all pending issues, such as who will control the flashpoint of Abyei.
