Brussels, 12/10/2007 (Agence Europe) - The second EU-South African ministerial troika held in Tshwane (South Africa) on 10 October allowed both sides to consolidate their strategic partnership through dialogue. Strengthened cooperation in new areas (peace and security, customs, energy, transport), preparations for the second EU-Africa summit (Lisbon, 8-9 December), fresh impetus given to negotiations on the future Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) between the EU and the SADC, as well as peace and security in Africa were areas discussed at the annual meeting. The gathering was co-chaired by Dr Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma, South African Foreign Minister, and Luis Amado, Portuguese Foreign Minister. Louis Michel, European Development Commissioner, and Matjaz Sinkovet, Secretary of State in the office of the prime minister of Slovenia (representing the future Council presidency) also took part in the work.
The EU and South Africa hoped the Joint Strategy to be adopted at the Lisbon summit would mark a turning point by establishing a broadly based political and strategic partnership between the EU and Africa. South Africa emphasised that the Joint EU-Africa Strategy should be supportive of Africa's larger development goals. Both parties pledged to cooperate in order to ensure full implementation of the Joint Strategy once adopted.
Although EPA negotiation is difficult, the EU and South Africa reaffirmed the urgent need to conclude an agreement that would be beneficial to both parties by the end of year, an agreement that meets the development needs of the SADC states and supports regional integration. The swift conclusion of the Doha Round for WTO development is also necessary, the two parties say.
Ministers also noted the growing democratisation in Africa and the progress that the African continent is making with regard to peace and security. South Africa welcomed the continued involvement of the EU and United Nations in these matters. Both sides, concerned by the situation in the east of the Democratic Republic of Congo, called on the warring factions to abstain from all military action that is likely to make the humanitarian situation worse, and welcomed the active involvement of MONUC in encouraging stability. The EU informed South Africa of the preparations underway with a view to deploying an EU military operation to the east of Chad and in the north-east of the Central African Republic to support the United Nations. Ministers insisted on the need for effective coordination between the EU mission, that of the United Nations and the AU-UN hybrid force.
More generally, the EU restated its support for the African Union, the establishment of an African Peace and Security Architecture, and the AU's socio-economic programme, NEPAD, and expressed appreciation for South Africa's mediation efforts in Africa. The Portuguese foreign minister seized the opportunity of expressing this message to South African President Thabo Mbeki during an official meeting in Pretoria on 11 October. (an)