Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 25 March 2004
78 Mr. Cuffe asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the matters on the agenda for the meeting taking place on 2 April 2004 in Dublin between the EU and South Africa; and if the Government will encourage the South African Government to distance itself from the Harare administration. [9477/04]
View answerThe EU views South Africa as a major partner in its relations with Africa, not only in bilateral terms but also because of the role it is playing in the African Union, AU, the Southern Africa Development Community, SADC, and in general in conflict resolution in Africa. The agenda for the forthcoming EU-South Africa ministerial troika to take place in Dublin, reflects this view. Discussions during the meeting will revolve around four main areas, namely: EU-South Africa relations, review of recent developments, peace and security and, multilateralism.
Under the EU-South Africa relations heading, we will focus on the 10th anniversary of freedom in that country. The anniversary is an occasion for celebration, which offers at the same time the opportunity for a period of national reflection. We will also discuss developments in the EU, including the impending enlargement of the Union and the Inter Governmental Conference. In reviewing recent developments, it is envisaged that both sides will exchange information and discuss issues of mutual concern. These will mostly centre on the current crisis in Zimbabwe and the HIV/AIDS pandemic. Conflict areas on the African continent, such as the Great Lakes, Sudan and Ethiopia-Eritrea will also be taken up. Concerning Zimbabwe, the EU has stated in the Council conclusions on the Zimbabwe common position, adopted on 23 February 2003, that it continues to support the mediation efforts of South Africa and SADC to resolve this crisis. The Zimbabwe crisis affects the entire Southern Africa region and South Africa's active role in seeking a political solution in Zimbabwe is fully acknowledged by the EU.
On peace and security, Foreign Minister Zuma will inform the meeting of developments with regard to the peace and security council of the African Union. The EU will follow up on the request from the Maputo Summit of the AU for an EU peace facility. The peace facility will involve an initial contribution of €250 million from the European Development Fund to provide direct assistance to African peace support operations as well as to improve the institutional capacities of the AU in the areas of peace-keeping and conflict resolution. Promoting effective multilateralism is an important theme of Ireland's Presidency on the external relations front. It is a common foreign policy goal for both the EU and South Africa. Advancement of this goal will be discussed in relation to issues of global concern such as Iraq, the Middle East and international terrorism. We will also examine how co-operation in international fora can be advanced, including in the United Nations Commission on Human Rights.
