Within the framework of the South Africa- European Union Strategic Partnership, the eighth Ministerial Troika was held in Kleinmond, South Africa, on 16 January 2009.
The meeting was co-chaired by H.E Dr Nkosazana DLAMINI ZUMA, Minister of Foreign Affairs of South Africa, and H.E. Mr Karel SCHWARZENBERG, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Czech Republic and President of the Council of the European Union.
Ministers reaffirmed their common commitment to promoting peace, security and stability in the world, and in Africa in particular. Ministers welcomed that the first SA-EU Summit, which took place on the 25th of July 2008 in Bordeaux, provided a landmark in EU-South Africa relations and elevated the Strategic Partnership to the highest political level.
The two parties have also discussed the Implementation of the Joint Africa-EU Strategy. Ministers welcomed progress made in the implementation of the Joint Africa-EU Strategy and its first Action Plan (2008-2010) and in particular, commended the Joint Experts Groups for the work done so far. The EU welcomed South Africa’s active involvement in the implementation of the First Action Plan of the Joint Strategy. Ministers called on all parties to expedite efforts with a view to attaining tangible results within the timeframe of the first Action Plan, particularly the elaboration of roadmaps with concrete timetables for the second meetings of the Joint Expert Groups. Ministers also stressed the need for adequate financial resources to effectively implement the First Action Plan and in this regard called on both parties to intensify efforts to identify financial requirements, sources of funding and procedures for accessing these financial instruments. They moreover underlined the necessity to involve Regional Economic Communities (RECs), Non State Actors, Parliaments and the Private Sector in the implementation of the partnership.
