Togo supports France-initiated celebrations for Africa independence

Togo supports the France-initiated celebration in 2010 to mark the 50th anniversary for Africa's independence, visiting French former minister Jacques Toubon said here on Friday.

Toubon said after talks with President Faure Gnassingbe that the Togolese leader threw himself behind the idea by his French counterpart Nicolas Sarkozy.

Togo is "quite ready to subscribe to this initiative and has already made commitments for this commemoration," declared the French former minister, who now serves as secretary general to Sarkozy on the initiative.

Toubon presented the initiative as "a partnership founded on history, culture and all common affinities between France and all sub-Saharan African countries."

The golden jubilee commemoration of independence in 1960 involves 14 French colonies in sub-Saharan Africa, notably the West African French-speaking countries and all the Equatorial African countries such as Madagascar.

Toubon said since the 14 countries became sovereign states, they have maintained with France "strong ties" naturally founded in history culture, language and economy. Their relations are reflected in political issues, sports and the presence of many Africans in France.

"President Sarkozy hopes that 2010 truly becomes the springboard for the strong ties between France and sub-Saharan Africa to be reaffirmed, prolonged and reinforced for the future," the secretary general of the initiative declared.

Source: Xinhua