Brussels, 15/05/2007 (Agence Europe) - On Tuesday, the EU and South Africa decided to create a new body for organising a more systematic, operation and political dialogue between them, in an effort to implement their long term partnership. The installation of this dialogue, known as the Mogôbagôba dialogue (the name of an emblematic tree of the South African nation), is the cornerstone of joint action adopted by the ministerial EU/Africa troika held on 14 May in Brussels (EUROPE 9425). This aims to promote freedom, peace, security and stability, particularly in Africa, and stimulate cooperation between the EU and South Africa, linked by a trade, development and cooperation agreement since 2000. The two parties have now agreed to meet twice a year: at a ministerial level, then at a level of heads of state and government, to discuss areas in which they can cooperate - environment, climate change, macro-economic policy, peace and security, migration, transport, accommodation, education and training, information and communication technologies, social affairs - in an effort to set up a political dialogue on all subjects of common interest.
A joint action plan was signed in front of the press, by Frank-Walter Steinmeier, the president of the Council, Dr Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma, the South African minister of foreign affairs and Commissioner Olli Rehn, who replaced Commissioner Louis Michel on a month's election leave. This official signing concluded the ministerial troika that had had a rich exchange of views, notably on climate change, the future status of Kosovo and immigration. Frank-Walter Steinmeier informed the press that “the joint action plan will provide a new dimension to relations between the EU and South Africa through frequent meetings and the level of deepening of dialogue, to enable the Portuguese presidency to bring more to EU/Africa relations”. He added: “It is not a good thing that there has not been a Europe/Africa summit for six years”. Dr Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma said that he was “impatiently awaiting” this summit in Lisbon next December for relaunching the EU/Africa dialogue.
EU-Africa summit: EU must not penalise the whole African continent
because of Zimbabwe
When asked about the chances of overcoming the problem posed by Zimbabwe, the minister called on the EU not to penalise the whole African continent. “From the African side, we want this summit to take place, and we hope that Europe shares the same point of view. EU-Africa relations cannot be held hostage to just one issue. It is important that Europe sees Africa as a continent of 54 countries, and does not think that, because of a problem with one country, the whole continent should be abandoned. Problems are resolved by facing up to them, not by running away,” said Ms Zuma.
With regard to the South African position on the future status of Kosovo, the South African minister, whose country is a member of the UN Security Council, expressed her satisfaction at having been able to “consult all the parties”, including the Kosovars, on the draft resolution on granting the Serbian province monitored independence. “We are close to a decision,” she said.
Javier Solana stressed the importance of South Africa “for Africa, and also for the whole world”. The country had, he said, “a triangular relationship with India and Brazil” and could strengthen its role as a major player because “many multilateral issues are related to Africa”. (an)