Brussels, 13/11/2002 (Agence Europe) - The fifth ministerial conference between the Union and SADC (Southern African Development Community) in Maputo, Mozambique (see EUROPE of 7 November, p.12) allowed both parties to make a positive assessment of their cooperation and political dialogue since 1994, to reaffirm the principles and aims they pursue, and also the importance they attach to respect of human rights, the protection of minorities, fundamental freedoms and democratic principles.
With the adoption of the progress report on the Berlin initiative (declaration that gave birth to EU/SADC institutional relations), the partners felt that their partnership was a "unique vehicle for frank, open and in-depth dialogue between the two regions". They restated their commitment to building, consolidating and strengthening democracy and acknowledged the fact that regional organisations play a special role in conflict prevention, resolution and peace-keeping.
Expressing the desire to enhance political dialogue outside regular meetings every two and a half years, the EU and SADC agreed on the need to dialogue, whenever necessary, to address topical political issues, and to clarify the form of participation of NGOs in the future SADC-EU dialogue.
Political dialogue on Zimbabwe is deadlocked
Despite the determination shared by both sides, political dialogue on the situation in Zimbabwe - which took up a large place within this conference - did not result in any consensus among Europeans and their southern African partners. The final declaration embodies this failure. Bertel Haarder, joint President of the Conference for the European party, commented saying there are many who showed proof of determination during the meeting, and yet, they did not find a way to make any real progress. He said Zimbabwe did not have the will power. There was no doubt that other SADC countries want a solution to the crisis in Zimbabwe as it has an adverse economic and political effect on them. He went on to say the Union clearly presented its point of view that political violence must stop. The independence of the courts must be assured and human rights respected. Freedom of the press must be honoured. And, Mr Haarder continued, all persons in need must receive food aid, as it is unacceptable for this aid to be used as an instrument for applying political and economic pressure (a point of view to which SADC rallied). He said NGOs must have the freedom to distribute emergency aid to all persons in need and that the key result of the meeting is that dialogue with SADC should continue to exist. It is more necessary than ever. And this dialogue will continue, he concluded, as it is owed to the millions of poor and innocent people in southern Africa.
SADC refused the EU's compromise proposal recommending the establishment of a joint EU/SADC team to attempt to resolve the crisis by establishing a track to follow and by making recommendations. The EU hopes to express, in the final declaration, the concerns of both parties for the suffering of the people of Zimbabwe, specifying that land reform is at the heart of the crisis and that no solution will be envisaged without strengthened rule of law, democracy and human rights, and without triggering off a constructive process towards economic recovery. As the EU had not been heard on this point, it restated its "deep concern regarding the situation in Zimbabwe, particularly the violations of human rights and the restrictions on the media as well as the deteriorating economic situation caused largely by the policies of the Zimbabwean authorities, which impacts negatively on the living conditions of the Zimbabwean people".
Recalling that emergency food aid must under no circumstances be used as a political instrument, the EU also assured that it would continue to intensify the provision of humanitarian aid to the Zimbabwean people, via the NGOs and the United Nations (in response to the appeal in favour of consolidated aid).
Progress towards strengthened democracy, peace and security
The conference welcomed the return to peace in the SADC region thanks to the cessation of hostilities in Angola and the DRC (but stressed the need to put an end to the conflict in the east of the country) and launched an appeal to the international community so that it might provide the humanitarian aid needed as well as support for reconstruction of these two countries.
EU and SADC ministers also appealed to all countries that had not yet done so to ratify and implement the UN Convention on the fight against torture and other inhumane or degrading treatment.
At a time when the strengthening of the regional integration process is promoted as a factor of security and as a pivot for the cooperation between the EU and the countries of the Cotonou Agreement, restructuring of the SADC institutions to strengthen its capacities was welcomed by both parties. The same welcome was reserved for launching the African Union and the New Partnership for Africa's Development (NEPAD). The conference noted the EU's intention to finalise accession negotiations with candidate countries at the Copenhagen summit, and stressed this could potentially improve the trading conditions offered to developing countries that belong to SADC, as well as access by their agricultural products to the European market, after WTO negotiations (Doha Agenda).
EU and SADC to focus their effort on eliminating poverty
Resolved to focus their cooperation on the priority aim of combating poverty, both parties listed the endogenous and exogenous factors that aggravate poverty (civil wars, drought, floods, disease, violence, economic instability) and stressed the importance of the role that civil society can play in the fight to eradicate it. Considerable concern was expressed about the HIV/AIDS pandemic in southern Africa as an obstacle to eradicating poverty and to the sustainable development of the countries concerned. The EU restated its support to the efforts made by the SADC countries to respond effectively. Regarding the food and humanitarian crisis in southern Africa, ministers welcomed the Commission and the EU Member States' commitment to continue with humanitarian assistance. There was an appeal for increased investment in agriculture as well as technological transfers in favour of SADC small farmers, as well as intensification of the initiative to lighten the debt of the heavily indebted poor countries. The next EU/SADC ministerial conference will be held in 2004, at a date and in a place still to be determined.