European Parliament
Posselt (PPE-DE ).
(DE)
Mr President, I am obliged to the Commissioner for his reply. As we know, we tend to see Africa as very largely characterised by single industries; on the other hand, though, Africans see Europe as very much made up of conglomerates. What I want to ask you is what the Commission is doing in order – and I do know that this is in practice very difficult – to build up cooperation between sub-Saharan Africa and the European Union as regards small and medium-sized enterprises. There is virtually nothing moving on that front. I would like to know what is being done in the area of cooperation between small and medium-sized enterprises. Although most small businesses still do not dare to venture into the region, I do believe that they would make very important partners for Africa, if it is not to be dominated by single industries and conglomerates to the exclusion of all else.

