"{Our discussions focused on the problem of development in the Sahel because the fight against terrorism depends on strong development}," said the Special Envoy of the United Nations Secretary-General for the Sahel, Romano Prodi, at the end of an audience with the Ivorian Head of State, President Alassane Ouattara, on Monday, 7 October 2013, in Abidjan.



"{The five countries of the Sahel are linked by a common project and I asked President Ouattara to become personally involved, through Côte d'Ivoire, the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and the African Union (AU) to help us in the development process, especially by putting pressure on the international community so that we can have the necessary resources for the development process}," added Romano Prodi.



For his part, President Ouattara thanked the UN Special Envoy for the Sahel for his efforts and all the projects which have benefited these countries. "{Côte d'Ivoire has provided its support through ECOWAS and we would like to count on your authority and wisdom to find solutions to the problems in the Sahel}," said the head of state of Côte d'Ivoire.



Mr. Prodi was accompanied by the Special Representative of the United Nations Secretary-General for West Africa, Saïd Djinnit and the Special Representative of the United Nations Secretary-General for Côte d'Ivoire, Mrs Aïchatou Mindaoudou.