欧美文化:Cameroonian, French presidents discuss regional security, economic ties

YAOUNDE, July 26 (Xinhua) -- Cameroonian President Paul Biya on Tuesday met with visiting French President Emmanuel Macron in Yaounde, the capital of Cameroon, to discuss regional security and bilateral economic ties.

In a joint press conference after their meeting, Macron said Cameroon was a "strategic partner" in the Central African sub-region where he will "devote more time to during the second term."

The French president said his country would continue to support Africa's need for security and stability. "We will not relinquish the security of the African continent. We now have a military cooperation system with many African countries, and this means that we deliver equipment, we train, we have partnerships and we want to advance on that road," he said.

"I feel satisfied because we feel supported. France supports us in the sense of security, especially as regards the fight against terrorism," Biya said.

Both presidents also discussed food shortages in Africa. Macron said France will strengthen agricultural investment and cooperation as part of measures to solve the food crisis.

Cameroon has been facing an armed separatist conflict in its English-speaking regions of Northwest and Southwest since 2017.

"I remain convinced that regionalization remains the answer to the crisis affecting Cameroon in the Northwest and Southwest regions and that it is through this political process of dialogue and reform that a lasting resolution can be found," Macron said.

Macron arrived in Cameroon Monday night for his first official visit to Africa after he was re-elected for a second and last mandate in April. He will also visit Benin and Guinea-Bissau.