Ping confers with Italian Foreign Affairs Minister

Addis Ababa, April 7, 2011 (Addis Ababa, ENA) - African Union Commission (AUC) Chairperson Dr. Jean Ping met with the Italian Foreign Affairs Minister, Franco Frattini in Rome, during his three-day official visit to Europe from the 3-5 April 2001.

Speaking on the occasion, the Chairperson described Italy as a key player in the Libyan crisis, according to a press release AU sent to ENA on Thursday

Minister Frattini, in turn, acknowledged the important role that the AUC has played and can continue to play in the solution of the Libyan crisis.

Both parties agreed on the urgent need for an end to violence through an effective and verifiable ceasefire and the need to protect civilians and to create the conditions for a political solution that meets the legitimate aspirations of the Libyan people.

They further agreed that such political solution requires an inclusive process of national reconciliation among all Libyans.

Ping and Minister Frattini also exchanged views on the future activities of the High-Level International Contact Group which was created at the London Conference on Libya as well as the initiatives of the African Union High-Level Ad Hoc Committee on Libya.

They agreed to keep in close contact to continue exchanging views and working together toward a political resolution of the Libyan crisis.

Ping and Frattini expressed deep concern at the situation in Côte d’Ivoire and at the resulting worsening humanitarian crisis, and expressed the hope to see a swift resolution of the conflict and for President Ouattara to take up the office to which he has been democratically elected.