Africa and Spain
5 July 2006
Mr Bernadino Leon Gross, the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs of the
Kingdom of Spain, paid an official visit to South Africa on 5 July 2006 at the
invitation of Mr Aziz Pahad, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic
of South Africa.
Mr Leon and Mr Pahad co-chaired the plenary session of the third Annual
Political Consultations between South Africa and Spain. The plenary followed
sector meetings held on 4 and 5 July 2006 that were convened to continue the
discussions on different areas and programmes for bilateral co-operation.
The delegations comprised senior officials representing the following
Ministries: Foreign Affairs, Trade and Industry, Environmental Affairs and
Tourism, Health, Provincial and Local Government, Arts and Culture, Defence,
Home Affairs and National Treasury.
The principals expressed their satisfaction that relations between our
respective countries and people continue to grow and strengthen in all
areas.
Both sides acknowledged that these meetings had contributed to an
encouraging convergence of views and closer co-operation on foreign policy
issues, and to an increasing number of official visits enhancing political and
economic ties.
Since the first consultations meeting in February 2004 both countries have
held different high level meetings. For example, President Mbeki and Prime
Minister Zapatero met at the Progressive Governance Summit in Hungary in 2004,
the Directors-General met in Madrid during February 2006, and the Spanish
Secretary General for Co-operation visited South Africa during June 2006.
The discussions were continued over an official working lunch hosted by
Deputy Minister Pahad during which the various sector groups reported on the
outcome of their deliberations.
The following are the results of the discussions of the various sectors:
Political Relations
Bilateral
The parties confirmed that relations remained excellent. It was further
acknowledged that relations could benefit from further high-level visits and an
expansion of the economic sector. Spain reconfirmed the invitation to HE
President Mbeki to pay a visit to Spain during 2007.
The delegations exchanged points of view on the outcome of the recent visit
of the Spanish Secretary-General for Co-operation and Director of the Spanish
Agency for International Co-operation that has opened new ways of bilateral
co-operation in the fields of health, local government, social development, and
trilateral co-operation.
The Spanish side informed of the preparations of the Spanish language
training programme for South African tourist guides to be launched in August,
with a total duration of three years (2006 - 2009). The programme is embedded
in the South African efforts towards the successful organisation of the 2010
World Cup.
The two sides welcomed the participation of several new sectors to the
political consultations as a further evidence of the expansion of relations and
bilateral co-operation.
Africa
The parties recommitted to the ideals of creating a better world and in this
regard, to redouble efforts to end the scourge of poverty and underdevelopment.
The parties acknowledged that Africa represents the most urgent and critical
challenge facing the global community.
The parties exchanged views and positions on different issues of the African
Agenda. South Africa briefed Spain on the outcome of the recent African Union
(AU) Summit, as well as progress on New Partnership for Africa's Development
(NEPAD).
Spain reiterated its support to both the AU and NEPAD. The Spanish
Government will continue to assess new avenues for co-operation with Africa in
an effort to deepen integration.
Deputy Minister Pahad provided an assessment of current developments and the
role of South Africa in the peace processes in the Cote d'Ivoire, the
Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), the Great Lakes and Sudan.
Secretary of State Leon briefed South Africa on their current diplomatic
efforts to resolve the impasse in the Western Sahara. The parties agreed to
work together to support the United Nations (UN) multilateral efforts,
including all relevant United Nations Security Council (UNSC) resolutions, to
find a peaceful and lasting resolution to the conflict.
The Spanish Delegation briefed South Africa on the new Africa Plan of the
Spanish Government. The plan sets the Spanish relations with Sub Saharan Africa
in a new, deeper and more global framework, setting seven lines of action. It
focuses on contributing to the consolidation of democracy, peace and security
as part of the effort to address issues of poverty and underdevelopment, and as
a measure to improve co-operation to regulate migratory flows.
Secretary of State Leon informed Deputy Minister Pahad that the Plan
considers South Africa as a priority country, and especially praises its role
as an actor in conflict resolution and post-conflict reconstruction. In this
context, Mr Leon also noted that the Plan shares many of its objectives with
South African priorities, and therefore, a permanent co-operation between both
countries would be an important instrument for the attainment of the African
Agenda.
The Spanish side also briefed the South African side on the preparation for
the Euro-Africa Ministerial Conference on Migration and Development to be held
in Rabat on 10 and 11 July, as well as on the Spanish support to the Pan
AfricanâEuropean Union (EU) Ministerial Conference on Migration.
The principals agreed to continue regular exchanges of information on the
African Agenda and the respective roles that each could play in enhancing
EU-Africa relations.
It was also agreed that co-operation on African issues should be expanded.
In this regard, the parties discussed the following trilateral co-operation
projects:
Trilateral Co-operation
* Sudan and the DRC
The two parties reflected on the numerous challenges facing the government
and peoples of Sudan and the DRC, and committed to collaborate in responding to
these challenges. South Africa tabled several project proposals for
co-operation, which the parties discussed. The Spanish have indicated their
eagerness to collaborate with South Africa in establishing this co-operation in
the proposals. Further discussions and consultations will continue between
capitals.
* Health
Noting that both parties were already active in, inter alia, the DRC,
Mozambique and Angola, especially in respect of maternal and child health
issues, it was agreed that the two parties would study the possibility to
collaborate in their health programmes in those countries.
Multilateral
Spain and South Africa stressed the importance of effective multilateralism
and the indispensable role of the United Nations in solving global problems.
The parties emphasised that the United Nations should be strengthened through
reform to enable it to better deliver on its mandates. They agreed that reform
should also lead to the democratisation of the key institutions of the United
Nations in order to allow the participation of more countries in
decision-making.
The parties also acknowledged the need for closer co-operation in dealing
with the pressing international concerns of conflict resolution, peace
building, human rights, sustainable development and the elimination of
poverty.
The Spanish side briefed the South African side on the evolution of the
Alliance of Civilisations Initiative, launched by the President of the Spanish
Government, José Luis Rodriguez Zapatero, and endorsed by the United Nations
Secretary-General (UNSG). Deputy Minister Pahad reiterated the South African
commitment with the initiative that South Africa had formally joined through
its Permanent Mission in New York. The parties recognised that South Africa
could play an important role in the implementation of the future Plan of Action
that aims to bring different cultures and societies closer. Both sides praised
the role that Archbishop Desmond Tutu is playing as member of the High Level
Panel that is tasked with drafting the Plan of Action.
Both parties exchanged views on the evolution of relations between South
Africa and the EU, currently under discussion. South Africa and Spain welcomed
all efforts to increase the level of dialogue and co-operation between both
sides, especially committing to work towards the second EU-Africa Summit in
Lisbon, ideally under the Portuguese Presidency of the EU in 2007.
Middle East
Deputy Minister Pahad and Secretary of State Leon exchanged views on issues
regarding the Middle East. The parties exchanged views on their assessment of
the current challenges of the Iran nuclear programme. In this regard, the
parties agreed that the preferred option would be for the matter to be
addressed through the mandated body, the International Atomic Energy Agency
(IAEA). In this context both parties commended the efforts of the G3 + 3 and
the High Representative, Mr Solana. They also called for further negotiations
and a continuation of diplomatic efforts.
The parties also reflected on the escalation of violence in the Palestinian
occupied territories. Both sides reiterated their support for all efforts to
attain a just, global and lasting peace based on a two State solution.
Economic Co-operation
The two sides acknowledged a new increase in the bilateral trade, which had
increased by approximately 25% in 2005. This was in addition to significant
increases in 2004 and 2003.
The parties agreed on the need to take advantage of new opportunities
arising in the South African market, especially against the background of the
coming 2010 World Cup.
Both sides recognised the need to increase the promotional activities, and
to this end the Spanish side informed of the preparations for the High Level
Business Forum to be held in South Africa on 25 and 26 September, organised by
the Spanish Secretary of State for Tourism and Trade. The Forum will bring
together some of the top ranking businessmen of both countries to exchange
experiences and explore new opportunities.
South Africa briefed the Spanish delegation on the current black economic
empowerment (BEE) regulation, as well as the Accelerated and Shared Growth
Initiative for South Africa (AsgiSA) and Joint Initiative for Priority Skills
Acquisition (JIPSA) initiatives.
Both parties acknowledged the importance for the signing of the Agreement on
Non-Double Taxation between the South African Minister of Finance, Mr Trevor
Manuel, and the Spanish Secretary of State for Finance, Mr Carlos Ocaña y
Perez, on 23 June 2006 in Madrid.
Defence Co-operation
The parties discussed the finalisation of the South Africa-Spain Memorandum
of Understanding on Defence Co-operation, as well as new instruments for
regulating defence-related industry co-operation.
The South African delegation briefed their Spanish counterparts on the
structure and reform of the South African National Defence Force, as well as on
their efforts for peace keeping in Africa, with special attention on the DRC.
The Spanish delegation informed about the current presence of Spanish soldiers
in the EU contingent for support to the electoral process in the DRC.
Future bilateral activities to take place include the signing of the
Memorandum of Understanding and other instruments, the establishment of a
Defence Committee, exchange visits and collaboration in projects with
defence-related industry. Both parties expressed their satisfaction concerning
the results and looked forward to closer co-operation in the future.
Home Affairs
The parties discussed issues of illegal immigration and exchanged
information on the sharing of experiences and best practices. The meeting held
at the Home Affairs Lindela Deportation Centre gave the Spanish delegation an
overview of the facility and its operations. The parties discussed challenges
experienced with illegal immigration and the exploitation of systems by
undocumented migrants.
The forthcoming Euro-African Ministerial Conference on Migration and
Development, due to be held in Rabat on 10 and 11 July 2006, was noted by both
parties. The importance of dialogue between Europe and Africa on migration and
immigration was acknowledged and both countries agreed to engage on this and
other related maters.
The parties also shared their respective process with regard to integrated
border control, nationally and within their regions. The parties agreed to
exchange information on training requirements for official identity
documentation.
Cultural co-operation
The Parties highlighted their enthusiasm on the Programme of Co-operation,
to be signed before the end of 2006. On the basis of the draft Programme of
Co-operation on Education and Culture presented by the Spanish side on the
bilateral consultations 2005 held in Madrid, the South African Department of
Arts and Culture (DAC) agreed to forward a new proposal on this Programme.
Areas of implementation that are of special interest were identified
including:
- archives, with specific emphasis on training in restoration,
- conservation of manuscripts, and
- record keeping and management of electronic records.
Both parties agreed to facilitate the visit of experts in archives from one
country to the other, as foreseen in the 2005 Joint Communiqué.
The Spanish delegation asked for a better diffusion of scholarships offered
by the Spanish Ministry of foreign Affairs and Co-operation and the Ministry of
Education and Science, so more and more South Africans can take advantage of
these programmes.
Spain would like to have an exchange of views during the next meeting
pertaining to multilateral issues as they are aware that South Africa is at the
forefront in the continent. Cultural diversity and the world Heritage Fund for
Africa were identified as areas for possible exchange of views and opinions.
DAC shared views on multilaterals and how they involved in the Declaration of
the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO)
Convention. Relevant documentation of the Conference of Cultural Diversity to
be held in South Africa in September 2006 will be forwarded to the Spanish.
DAC informed Spain about the implementation of cultural co-operation
programmes in the third African countries, using Arts and Culture as a conflict
resolution tool. Spain took interest in knowing about this issue.
Health
It was agreed that South Africa would henceforth participate in the advanced
Seminars organised by Spain under its VITA Programme for Africa wherein intense
training is provided in the areas of reproductive health, communicable diseases
(including HIV/AIDS), children's health issues and maternal health.
Having noted that several regional Governments of Spain provide financial
assistance on health and related issues, it was also agreed that South Africa
would identify regional/provincial health institutions and non-governmental
organisations (NGOs) that could apply for financing from various regional
Governments of Spain.
In order to further solidify bilateral co-operation, it was agreed that both
parties would work to create links and working relationships between the
numerous health institutions of both countries.
Tourism
Having noted that Department of Environmental Affairs and Tourism (DEAT) had
several project proposals in respect of bilateral co-operation, it was agreed
that DEAT would forward a consolidated project to the Spanish development
co-operation authorities in regard to the following:
- language training programme for 2010 and beyond;
- sharing of best practices in terms of tourism management; and
- tourism satellite account - systematic measurement of tourism's contribution
to South Africa's Gross Domestic Product (GDP).
Local Government
Having noted that the local government system of South Africa faced
challenges in respect of, inter alia:
- scarce skills in numerous technical areas, particularly in rural and poor
municipalities;
- institution building
- financial accountability; and
- service delivery systems
It was agreed that the two parties would engage in intense bilateral
discussions so as to identify a proposal in one priority area for South African
local government to be supported by Spanish co-operation.
National Treasury
It was agreed that a team of experts led by the National Treasury would
undertake a follow-up to Spain wherein they would engage in in-depth
discussions with several Spanish counterparts in respect of:
- how Spain successfully dealt underdevelopment in rural areas, and
- how Spain's SMME (small, medium and micro enterprise) programmes successfully
managed to create jobs and foster local economic development in under-resourced
regions.
Science and Technology
The two parties signed the bilateral Agreement on Co-operation on Science
and Technology in Madrid in December 2005. The two parties then agreed on
posting the Call for Proposals for the joint projects.
In South Africa the Call for Proposals closed at the end of May 2006 and the
National Research Foundation is currently reviewing the project proposals that
were submitted.
Other issues in respect of bilateral co-operation will be further discussed
during the third Joint Committee on Science and Technology that is scheduled to
take place during October this year in Tshwane.
Conclusion
The Principals expressed confidence in the growth of relations and
collaboration between South Africa and Spain. This co-operation should serve
also to address issues affecting the international community.
Both Deputy Ministers reconfirmed the usefulness of the Annual Consultations
Meeting as a mechanism for dialogue and co-operation. They agreed to convene
the next Consultations in Spain in 2007.
Issued by: Department of Foreign Affairs
5 July 2006
Source: SAPA
