EU-South Africa Joint Co-operation Council

Press release

British Foreign Secretary Jack Straw and South African Foreign Minister Dr Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma co-chaired the sixth meeting of the EU-South Africa Joint Co-operation Council in Brussels today. The EU delegation also included Lord David Triesman, Minister for Africa for the United Kingdom, Mr Georg Lennkh, Austria's Special Envoy for Africa, Mr Louis Michel, European Commissioner for Development and Humanitarian Aid and Mr Javier Solana, EU SG/High Representative CFSP. The South African delegation also included Ms Thoko Didiza, Minister for Agriculture and Land Affairs and Dr Rob Davies, Deputy Minister of Trade and Industry.

The meeting cemented the productive relationship which the EU and South Africa have established.

In the plenary session the EU and South Africa agreed to broaden the scope of EU- South African relations and work towards a truly strategic partnership based on political, trade, development and economic co-operation. They agreed that it was important to work together to prepare for full implementation of the Trade, Development and Co-operation Agreement (TDCA).

Both sides welcomed the deal reached in the automotive sector after five years of negotiations. This breakthrough will pave the way for further strengthening of SA-EU relations in other areas of cooperation.

Furthermore, South Africa and the EU had constructive dialogue on other matters of mutual concern, such as the EU's draft chemical legislation (REACH), EU procurement rules and reform of the main UN bodies, including the Security Council. South Africa and the EU asserted their commitment to an ambitious and balanced outcome of the Doha Development Agenda.

The EU and South Africa reaffirmed the importance of meeting the Millennium Development Goals in Africa, and emphasised the need for all parties to deliver on the commitments made this year in support of and by Africans, including those at the Millennium Review Summit. With the envisaged adoption of a new EU strategy for Africa in December, the EU underlined its resolve to deepen the partnership between Africa and the EU. The EU and South Africa agreed to do their utmost to strengthen African institutions and capabilities to address the many and complex challenges facing the African continent.

During the discussion of political issues, the EU and South Africa will exchange information on Africa's conflict zones. The EU congratulates South Africa on its efforts as mediator seeking resolution of some of Africa's most dangerous conflicts, notably in the Great Lakes region and Côte d'Ivoire. The EU and South Africa will also discuss Zimbabwe.

The EU and South Africa welcome this invaluable opportunity to work towards enhanced co-operation and look forward to continued dialogue in the future.

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• EU External Relations Council Conclusions (7/11/2005)
• Commissaire Michel appelle les entreprises européennes à investir davantage en Afrique (3/11/2005)
• EUHR Solana's meeting with South African FM Dlamini-Zuma (21/9/2005)