Germany to Push for G8 Partnerships With Africa

According to the Süddeutsche Zeitung, Merkel's cabinet has drafted a proposal that each member of the G8 sign a partnership agreement with an African country.

The 17-page document for the Berlin cabinet showed that the major developed nations would be asked to each sponsor certain African nations, with "those nations that are willing to enter reform partnerships to be especially supported."

Preference will be given to democratic, investor-friendly states, the newspaper said.

Germany to take over G8 presidency

The text is due to be discussed by the German cabinet on Wednesday and to be tabled at the G8's summit in the eastern German resort of Heiligendamm in June.

Germany is due to take over the presidency of the G8 in 2007, which is currently held by Russia. The participants at the economic summit comprise the leaders of Germany, France, Britain, Italy, Japan, Canada, United States and Russia.

The German government's proposal follows a decision taken at the G8 summit in Gleneagles in Scotland in 2006 to increase aid to Africa.

At that time, the eight countries resolved to double their collective aid to Africa to $50 billion (39.8 billion euros) annually.

Merkel intended to invite African leaders to Germany for a special summit, the newspaper said.