By Bajin D. Pobia/Eric K. Amoh, GNA

Egypt (Cairo), May 09, GNA – Dr. Mostafa Elfekky, the Chairman of the Foreign Relations Committee of Egypt, has said it is essential for African nations to work together to bring holistic   social, economic and political growth to the continent.

He said a major consideration was for African nations to promote trade, which Egypt was more than ready to lead the way by using necessary available resources to improve and promote South-South cooperation with all other African countries.

“Egypt is at the service of Africa in all spheres and is more concerned about Africa, it is only a perception that some people think Egypt does not belong to Africa,” Dr. Elfekky told African journalists at a forum on the “The Future of Media in Africa” in Cairo.

Forty-six journalists and media practitioners drawn from 22 African countries, including Ghana, Nigeria, Ivory Coast, Togo, Burkina Faso, Mali and Liberia are attending the forum.

Dr. Elfekky who spoke on: “The Importance of Cooperation and Coordination between African Countries” said: “It is wrong for any African country to think that way. Egypt’s foreign policy priority is for it to take her real place in Africa’s affairs”.

He urged African countries, and the world generally, especially the West, to accept and support the Egyptian Revolution in all its endeavours, stating: “The liberation of Egypt is for all Africans and the world”.

He condemned the activities of terrorists on the continent and said Islam must be dissociated from the politics of terrorism and chaos.

Dr. Elfekky said it was wrong to associate Islam with terrorism, explaining that, “Islam is a religion for peace and tolerance and does not accept war. Therefore, there is no justification to use it to cause mayhem on humanity.”

He described terrorists as “heartless people who have no religion and country”, saying the world must stand up against their activities.

The Egyptian Agency of Partnership for Development in Cooperation with the Radio and Television Union of Egypt, organised the forum to strengthen cooperation between Egypt and its African counterparts.

GNA