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Austrian business leader calls for "Marshall Plan" for Africa

Xinhua, June 16, 2015 Adjust font size:

President of the Austrian Federal Economic Chambers (WKO) Christoph Leitl on Monday called for a "Marshall Plan" for Africa to create stability and stem the tide of refugees leaving the continent.

In an interview with Oe1 Morgenjournal radio program, Leitl said a plan similar to the one used to aid Europe in the aftermath of the Second World War would give affected people in Africa hope for the future, though the required investments would need "pan-European solidarity."

He added that Europe currently appears "clueless" regarding the asylum seeker issue, and the fact that individual countries such as Austria are overburdened.

Leitl also urged against using domestic Austrian political lines to frame the issue, and said more voices are needed in order to be able to look beyond the issue as "politics of the day." Here, a "Marshall Plan" would be a very important starting point, he said. Endit