Cologne/Heiligendamm. 'We have to talk with the people in Africa, not about them', calls Nicolas de Cock de Rameyen, President of Malteser International, on the participants of the G8 summit in Heiligendamm. De Cock appreciates that Africa will be one of the main topics of the debates. However, solutions should not be based on unrealistic ideas developed behind the desk, but should contain concrete concepts being worked out together with the ones concerned for the good of the people.

De Cock, who visited projects of Malteser International in the Democratic Republic of Congo, Kenya and Southern Sudan with a delegation of the Order of Malta just few days ago, continues: 'Our partners in the local non governmental organisations and administrations fight daily against illnesses as Malaria, HIV/AIDS or Tuberculosis and know best how to cope with bad infrastructure or critical safety conditions. Only by talking to them we can support them reasonably.' De Cock emphasises: 'Africa needs long-lasting solutions which not only serve the political-economic interests of the leading industrial nations but also the continent marked by illnesses, wars and natural disasters.'

For more Information please contact: Petra Ipp, Senior Desk Officer Communication, Malteser International Phone: +49-221-9822-155, Fax +49-221/9822-179; petra.ipp@malteser-international.org; www.malteser-international.org