SOUTH AFRICA - EU SUMMIT AIMS TO STRENGTHEN

C O N F I D E N T I A L PRETORIA 001977 DEPT FOR AF/S - DIOPM E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/21/2019 TAGS: PREL SF EU SUBJECT: SOUTH AFRICA - EU SUMMIT AIMS TO STRENGTHEN RELATIONS Classified By: Political Counselor Walter N.S. Pflaumer. Reasons 1.4 ( b) and (d). ¶1. (C) Summary: On September 11, President Jacob Zuma met with European Union (EU) head of delegation Swedish Prime Minister Frederick Reinfeldt, EU High Representative for the Common Foreign and Security Policy Javier Solana and other EU leaders at the second South Africa - EU Summit in Kleinmond, South Africa. They signed the first Revision Agreement to the Trade, Development and Cooperation Agreement (TDCA) and discussed EU funded science and technology programs. Summit topics included the global economic crisis; the Doha Development Agenda; climate change; the Joint Africa-EU Strategy; and the EU-Southern Africa Development Community Economic Partnership Agreement. They also discussed the situations in the Great Lakes region, Burundi, Zimbabwe, Sudan, Somalia, Madagascar, Iran and the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Swedish diplomat Jon Eklund told Poloff climate change was a big issue for the EU during this Summit, and that they were disappointed with South Africa's noncommittal response. End summary. -------------- TRADE, AID AND CLIMATE CHANGE -------------- ¶2. (C) The Summit joint communiqu highlighted the 10th anniversary of the TDCA and the signing of the first Revision Agreement. Eklund thought the Revision Agreement was not a significant development. Of note was the launch of a 120 million Euro (USD 176.5 million) employment creation fund and the ongoing implementation of a 30 million Euro (USD 44 million) science and technology budget support program geared toward poverty alleviation. Although mentioning a "frank and open discussion" on the EU-SADC Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA),the joint communiqu only says that both sides agreed to resolve outstanding issues "with a view to a prompt and mutually satisfactory conclusion that supports regional integration and development in Southern Africa." (Note: South Africa rejected EU-SADC EPA negotiations claiming that SADC countries were not ready to open their markets and compete with the EU on an equal footing. South African officials and civil society criticized the EU for setting back SADC's regional integration ambitions by signing EPAs with some SADC members. End note.) Summit leaders also discussed the global economic crisis, particularly its negative impact on Africa. They committed to work together to develop a "stronger, more globally consistent, supervisory and regulatory framework for the financial sector..." They also agreed to remain committed to reach a conclusion to the Doha Development Agenda in 2010. While climate change was a priority issue for the EU, the South African response was disappointing, according to Eklund. The South Africans made no commitments and focused their points on requesting technology transfers. -------------- AFRICAN CONFLICTS AND THE MIDDLE EAST -------------- ¶3. (C) According to the joint communiqu, Summit leaders discussed a broad range of conflicts and problems in Africa and the Middle East. On the Great Lakes, they expressed concern for civilians, the humanitarian situation in Eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo, widespread sexual violence and the Kivu provinces. They highlighted South Africa's contributions to the peace process in Burundi and committed to providing assistance for the electoral process and socioeconomic development. They noted progress in the implementation of the Global Political Agreement in Zimbabwe and concerns about "the environment in which it is taking place." They urged full implementation of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement in Sudan and expressed support for AU peace initiatives throughout Sudan. On Somalia, the Summit leaders reaffirmed support to the Transitional Federal Government and thanked the AU and AMISOM for their contributions. Eklund said Solana asked for South African naval assistance in fighting piracy off the coast of Somalia and the response was that finances were making this difficult. Eklund also said that in prior meetings with Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO) officials, they never mentioned finances being the problem, but were skeptical about fighting piracy on the high seas. The joint communiqu stresses the need to fight the root causes of piracy. They commended the SADC mediator for progress made to restore constitutional order in Madagascar and expressed concern at attempts to under the Maputo agreements as well as unilateral decisions that violate the spirit of the agreements. ¶4. (U) In the joint communiqu, summit leaders encouraged Iran's engagement with the international community regarding its nuclear program and expressed concern over limitations of political freedoms following the June 12 elections. They welcomed international efforts, including initiatives of the new U.S. administration, towards a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and comprehensive peace in the Middle East. ¶5. (C) Comment: As Eklund noted, the Summit was not significant in substance, but he hopes that by bringing top EU diplomats to the meeting, South Africa will assess the relationship with greater importance. End comment. GIPS