Co-operation Council, Brussels
14 November 2006
The seventh meeting of the EU-South Africa Co-operation Council took place
in Brussels, on 14 November 2006.
The Council adopted a Joint Statement to advance towards an EU-South Africa
Strategic Partnership. With the statement the parties embark on a process to
enhance their existing co-operation towards shared objectives and strategic
political co-operation on regional, African and global issues, including
conflict prevention and resolution in Africa. The Strategic Partnership will
also develop stronger and sustainable economic co-operation and extend
co-operation to social, cultural and environmental fields.
The meeting also discussed the political situation in Africa and the Middle
East as well as topical issues on the global agenda such as the United Nations
(UN) reform, migration, World Trade Organisation (WTO) and HIV and AIDS. The
Council adopted a communique on the issues discussed.
With a recently approved negotiating mandate for the EU side, South Africa
and the EU will also start the negotiations for a comprehensive update and
revision of the Trade, Development and Co-operation Agreement (TDCA), the
cornerstone of their relations since 2000. With respect to the review of the
TDCA trade provisions, the Parties agreed to address its relationship to the
Southern African Development Community-Economic Partnership Agreement
(SADC-EPA) negotiations.
EU and South Africa also reached an agreement on further liberalisation of
trade in the automotive sector. This agreement, welcomed by the European car
manufacturers, is the outcome of lengthy negotiations on an industry that is
important for both sides.
The meeting took place under the co-chairmanship of Dr Nkosazana Dlamini
Zuma representing South Africa, and Mr Erkki Tuomioja, Foreign Minister of
Finland, representing the Presidency of the EU. The EU delegation also included
the troika-members Commissioners, Louis Michel and Peter Mandelson, Mr Javier
Solana, Secretary General / High Representative, and Mrs Dorothee
Janetzke-Wentzel, Director for Africa from Germany. The South African
delegation included Ms Lulama Xingwana, Minister of Agriculture and Land
Affairs and Mr Derek Hanekom, Deputy Minister of Science and Technology.
The EU and South Africa welcomed this invaluable opportunity to work towards
enhanced co-operation and look forward to continued dialogue in the future.
Enquiries:
Ronnie Mamoepa
Cell: 082 990 4853
Issued by: Department of Foreign Affairs
14 November 2006
