EU-SA Strategy

The Delegation of the European Commission to SA has a number of political responsibilities. At a bilateral level, the Delegation is engaged in fostering political dialogue with the SA Government on a day-to-day basis. This dialogue, covering all issues of mutual interest, takes place in the framework of regular meetings, as envisaged by the Trade, Development and Co-operation Agreement, as well as through ad-hoc meetings on specific subjects. The continuing relationship between the Delegation and the SA Department of Foreign Affairs (and other government departments, where appropriate), provides the necessary diplomatic platform for EU-SA dialogue to take place at high political level.

The TDCA, which came into effect in May 2004, laid a firm foundation for the development of a true EU-SA partnership, as structured and formal political dialogue, in addition to development, co-operation and trade dialogue at ministerial level, became a key pillar of the EU-SA relationship.

Political co-operation between the EU and SA gained momentum in 2004 with the visit of President Mbeki to the EU institutions in Brussels and Strasbourg. This first official visit to the EU was of particular historical importance. Addressing the European Parliament, President Mbeki shared an encouraging vision of the future of Africa and the role Europe should play in the future development of the continent. 2005 saw the visit of the European Commission President José Manuel Barroso to South Africa. President Barroso's visit re-affirmed his commitment to making sub-Saharan Africa the main focus of EU development co-operation policy and to help put Africa firmly on the global agenda.

Recognising the key role that SA plays in the Southern African region, on the African continent and on the international scene, the EU-SA Joint Co-operation Council adopted a Joint Statement in November 2006, launching a new EU-SA Strategic Partnership. The content of this Strategic Partnership was further specified in the Joint Action Plan adopted during the EU-SA Ministerial Troika held in May 2007 in Brussels. The Action Plan calls for enhancing "existing co-operation by moving from political dialogue to active political co-operation on issues of mutual interest, at bilateral, regional, continental or global level". Among the main goals set out in the Action Plan is the decision to engage in regular high-level political dialogue at Summit level; to confirm and intensify dialogue at all other levels of co-operation, including bi-annual political talks in Troika format at Ministerial level and Joint Co-operation Councils at senior official level; to strengthen co-operation on development through different means, including the Joint Country Strategy; and to undertake a regular high level dialogue on the environment and climate change. The Joint Action Plan also recognises the importance of regular and institutionalised parliamentary interaction through regular exchanges of visits by parliamentary delegations, and greater interaction by subject-specific parliamentary committees on both sides.

The Strategic Partnership and its Joint Action Plan are based on the recognition of the mutual interests of both partners in many areas of common concern that may require joint positions, actions and/or policy co-ordination. These interests and global actions can be re-inforced by frank, open discussions and exchanges of information between the partners on domestic, regional, continental and global issues.

A key element of the Strategic Partnership is the common commitment to promoting an agenda of peace, security and stability in the world, and in Africa in particular. SA and the EU share the understanding that security and development are inter-dependent, and that both parties play key global leadership roles in his regard.

The Strategic Partnership and Action Plan build on the already existing co-operation between the EU and SA, and will support the EU Strategy for Africa and the EU-Africa Joint Strategy, as well as reinforce Nepad and peace and security initiatives on the African continent. Political dialogue and co-operation will continue to cover all domestic and internal political issues of mutual interest. In this respect, following a joint review of the TDCA, its text is under revision by both parties, to update it and adapt it to the changed global environment of recent years.

Issues discussed as part of regular, institutionalised EU-SA political dialogue, include, amongst others, conflict areas and peace-keeping operations in Africa, the EU Peace Facility, EU enlargement, HIV/Aids, Zimbabwe, developments within the United Nations, the importance of meeting the Millennium Development Goals, the Middle east peace process, international terrorism, strengthening of the African Union, successful conclusion of the WTO trade talks and the promotion of a multi-lateral agenda.