France wants African states in G20

France will push for Africa to have membership of the G20 economies in a similar capacity to the European Union when it takes helm of the group next year, a French political source said.

France is using the 25th Africa-France summit, which ends in Nice on Tuesday, to pave the way for reform proposals at next years G8/G20 meetings, aimed at giving Africa more of a say on the international stage.

“They [African leaders] are quite enthusiastic that we want to make the African Union a permanent member of the G20, like the presidency of the European Commission,” the source said late yesterday. South Africa is currently the only African member.

For more: France wants African states in G20 - The Irish Times - Wed, Jun 02, 2010