African summit preparatory meetings begin in Addis Ababa

The meeting of permanent delegates to the African Union started here on Friday to arrange for the 24th session to be hosted by the Ethiopian capital on January 30-31.
Egypt's delegation to the summit is to be chaired by President Abdel Fattah El Sisi.
Chairperson of the African Union Commission, H.E. Dr. Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma said in an address before the meeting, read out on her behalf by the deputy chairperson, saying 2015 is a milestone for Africa which must progress steadily toward the future. Africa cannot afford to lose more opportunities, she said.
Ever since its independence, Africa has been striving to combat poverty, ignorance and illiteracy and now it has become a promising continent, she added.
Egypt's Ambassador to Ethiopia and permanent delegate to the African Union Mohamed Idriss held a series of bilateral meetings on the fringe of the meetings as part of efforts to coordinate stances between Egypt and the member states ahead of the African summit.