Franco-African summit kicks-off

The summit is expected to focus on the African continent's role in global governance, strengthening peace and security, climate and development.

In an interview with the SABC, Zuma said: "We have some anxiety as a continent that some big countries seem to be having some hand in some of the issues and we cannot call for good relations with the continent and yet there could be activities that do not seem to be promoting those relations we are calling for."

The two-day summit (31 May - 1 June) will also focus on economic and trade partnership, conflict and remedies and investment potentials in African.

The summit will create a platform for developed countries to partner with France in identifying investment opportunities in African countries. It will also pave the way for member countries of the European Union to invest in areas of their interest in Africa.

Zuma's office says it views the summit of strategic importance given the bilateral relations it has and is seeking to expand with France.

Zuma, who is accompanied by Ministers of International Relations and Cooperation, Maite Nkoana-Mashabane and Trade and Industry's Rob Davies, is scheduled to address heads of state and government representatives on "Strengthening peace and security in Africa" and also hold private talks with French President Nicholas Sarkozy.

The summit would be the first for African leaders to be hosted by President Sarkozy since assuming office in 2007.

Total trade between South Africa and France had been increasing consistently from 2000 to 2004 where-after it declined from R24,3 billion in 2004 to R21,9 billion in 2005, a percentage decrease of 9.9%. Total trade started to increase again from 2006 and reached R31,6 billion in 2008. However, although trade figures for 2009 are only up to October, there was a huge decline in total trade to almost half of the total value of 2008 at R16,9 billion in 2009.

The huge decline in total trade in 2009 can be attributed to lower global demand for imports as a result of the global crisis in 2008 and 2009.

However, France remains an important trading partner for South Africa. The country is ranked 20th in the world as South Africa's export partner in 2009 (18th in 2008) and 9th as the country's import partner in the same year.

Meanwhile, there has been an outcry over the presence of Niger's coup leader General Salou Djibo at the summit.

President Zuma on Sunday joined several other African leaders in criticising Sarkozy on inviting Niger, urging that it is immoral to invite coup leaders who are not recognised by the African Union.