On Thursday September 22, President Faure Gnassingbe participated in a high level meeting organized by the Prime Minister of Israel, Benjamin Netanyahu.
The roundtable gathered key leaders of the continent including President Paul Kagame of Rwanda, President Ernest Bai Koroma of Sierra Leone as well as over 30 African Foreign Ministers.
The meeting galvanized the renewal of the political and economic partnership and friendship between the continent and the Jewish state.
President Gnassingbe, the keynote speaker of the forum, lauded Jerusalem's ambition to deepen its connection with Africa.
The President declared: " Whilst visiting Israel last August I was able to appreciate not only the unique security challenges your nation faces but also to better comprehend how much Israeli expertise can contribute to Africa".
Mr. Gnassingbe stressed " While Israel may not be the sole nation to master the expertise required required to allow the development of the continent, it also is the most dynamic and the most competitive."
The Head of State further added that the African continent requires concrete solutions in terms of security, education and health and further commented that the State of Israel constituted an ideal partner to fulfill the potential of the continent.
The Togolese leader concluded his speech by enticing nations unwilling to cooperate with Israel to jettison their sterile excuses and polemic and to work with Jerusalemin order to safeguard the interest of the continent.
Mr. Gnassingbe also stated :"Africa is beset is difficulties and Israel holds the key to them."
Lome will host the first Africa-Israel Summit in 2017.