Johannesburg, 15 October 2007 - The Pan African Parliament (PAP) has added its voice to the debate around the EU-Africa Summit to be held in Portugal in December this year.

PAP President Gertrude Mongella has strongly criticised those who want to dictate the composition of the Summit. British Prime Minister Gordon Brown has threatened to stay away if Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe is invited.

Mongella was opening the Eighth Ordinary Session of the continental body in Midrand today. Briefing the media after her opening address, Mongella said it was unacceptable that outsiders should prescribe who must attend the Lisbon summit from Africa.

"This issue of dictating who should be coming from Africa, as matter of principle is unacceptable. We have to be united…" said Mongella.

Earlier, Mongella also said financial shortages and the high turnover of Members will also be on the agenda. She added that in order to perform its functions, the PAP will continue to seek donations from sympathetic organisations to supplement the shortfall of the budget it receives from the African Union.