Nice, France - Co-chairing the Africa-France Summit Monday with French President Nicolas Sarkozy, President Hosni Mubarak called for Africa to have a stronger voice in global affairs. "We want to end at all costs the marginalisation of the African continent, so that it can participate with a clear and strong voice in political and economic decision-making at the international level," said Mubarak. The Egyptian leader was echoing a similar call made by Sarkozy. "I am deeply convinced that it is no longer possible to discuss major world issues without the presence of Africa," Sarkozy said at the Summit's opening ceremony at a conference centre in central Nice. France is seeking to renew its ties with Africa at the two-day summit that is touching on global governance and Africa's campaign for more of a say at the United Nations Security Council, the UN's top decision-making body. Ahead of the conference, Mubarak embraced Algerian President Abdelaziz Bouteflika and shook his hand for the first time since a soccer clash that raised tensions between the two Arab countries. Mubarak also held talks with Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan. The 25th Africa-France Summit is Sarkozy's first since taking office in 2007 and reflects France's shift away from its traditional West African allies and towards engagement with the continent as a whole. Egypt will host the 2013 edition of the summit.
