December 10, 2007 (LPAC)--African leaders attending the European Union-African Union heads of state summit in Lisbon, Portugal, strongly rejected a proposed British free trade agreement between African nations and the European Union, which would destroy any attempt for industrial development, as has been the case for the past three decades.

Senegalese President Abdoulaye Wade said that most African leaders rejected the proposals,because they "aren't in Africa's interest."

South African President Thabo Mbeki joined Wade in criticizing the proposals, saying they "will not contribute to the development of the African-Caribbean-Pacific countries as they do not assist in fighting poverty."

African Union Commission president Alpha Oumar Konare said the EU has to give up its "colonial approach." He argued that, "The riches of Africa must be paid for at a fair price."

According to a report in today's Mail & Guardian, a tense atmosphere prevailed during the conference. The EU wants to replace expiring trade agreements with so-called "Economic Partnership Agreements," which are in fact temporary deals.

"We are not talking any more about EPAs, we've rejected them. We're going to meet to see what we can put in place of the EPAs," Wade told reporters in Lisbon.