ACCRA, Jan 13 (Reuters) - German President Horst Koehler criticised European countries for setting up trade barriers against products from Africa whilst at the same time dumping subsidised goods on the world's poorest continent.

Koehler was speaking late on Friday at the opening of a two-day "Partnership with Africa" forum in Ghana's capital Accra, due to be attended by heads of states from Nigeria, Liberia, Benin and Botswana.

"In the economic sphere, we must not bar Africa's way to export opportunities. Specifically, I am thinking here of the EU fisheries policy, which has built up overcapacities and bought fishing rights from African countries," Koehler said.

"I am also thinking of subsidised exports of surplus foodstuffs, which flood the African markets and prevent the independent development of sustainable food bases in Africa."

A former managing director of the International Monetary Fund (IMF), Koehler has limited powers in the largely ceremonial position of German president.

But he can influence the national debate at home and has not shied away from controversial topics since being named to the post in 2004 with the support of Chancellor Angela Merkel.

Germany holds the presidencies of both the European Union and the Group of Eight industrialised nations this year and campaigners hope that Merkel will seize the opportunity to promote issues relating to Africa.

Merkel said in a statement on Germany's G8 Web site late last year that rich nations "should not relent in efforts to offer the people of Africa economic growth, development and co-operation".

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