Brussels, 28/06/2006 (Agence Europe) - The Commission is proposing that, in future, the EU and South Africa should form a more strategic partnership than the current trade, development and cooperation agreement sealed in 1999 by the two parties. The communication on this, adopted by the College on Wednesday 28 June, gives concrete substance to the shared desire for a qualitative leap in EU/South Africa bilateral relations, as expressed by Louis Michel, Development Commissioner, and Thabo Mbeki, President of South Africa, during their meeting in Pretoria on 28 February (EUROPE 9142). On Wednesday, the Commission also adopted a proposal for a negotiating brief to amend the bilateral trade, development and cooperation agreement.
“Europe and South Africa both agree on many international issues. Together, we promote, for instance, peace, good governance and regional integration through the African Union. This strategic partnership between the EU and South Africa will allow us to work even more closely together at regional, continental and global levels to support Africa meet its development goals”, Louis Michel states in a press release.
The Commission's communication establishes a long-term overall framework for relations between the EU and South Africa, on the basis of the pivotal role played by this country in Southern Africa, throughout the African continent and also in international relations. The strategic partnership proposed will cover political and economic relations and will be underpinned by the two parties' many common objectives at regional, pan-African and global levels.
The Commission also plans to bring together within a single and coherent framework with jointly defined, clear objectives, the partnerships between Member States, the Community and South Africa.
After discussions with Member States, the European Parliament and the Economic and Social Committee, a plan of action will be developed to allow the strategic partnership to be brought into effect this autumn.
The purpose of the proposed changes to the bilateral agreement on trade, development and cooperation to be negotiated with South Africa is three-fold: - to bring the agreement in line with the revised Cotonou Agreement as regards new political provisions on issues such as terrorism or weapons of mass destruction; - to push for further trade liberalisation in order to update provisions on development cooperation- and to establish cooperation in other areas.