Speech of the Chairperson of the National Council of Provinces, MS Refilwe Mtshweni-Tsipane on the Occasion of the 28th SA-EU Inter-Parliamentary Meeting

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  • Speaker, NA, Hon Thoko Didiza
  • Deputy Speaker, NA and Deputy Chairperson NCOP
  • Presiding Officers of both Houses present
  • Co-Chairpersons and Leader of the European Union Parliamentary Delegation
  • Hon Members of both South African and European Union Delegation
  • Senior Officials Accompanying our Delegations
  • Staff members supporting our delegations
  • Ladies and Gentlemen


Good Morning,

INTRODUCTION

  • It is with great pleasure that we take this opportunity on behalf of the South African Parliament, to convey our warm and fraternal greetings of welcome, to Members of the European Union community.
  • We must extend appreciation for the work done on both sides, to ensure the successful preparations for this SA-EU Inter-Parliamentary Meeting
  • The SA-EU IPM (2025) takes place following important political calendar events in both South Africa and the European Union
  • Our delegations have just emerged from national elections which enabled us to renew our mandate and commitments to championing the aspirations of all our people, across race, class and gender
  • This calendar event, marked thirty years since the inception of our democratic transition from colonial apartheid, into a just political and humane order; founded on our Constitutional imperatives, of a government formed on the will of the people, for the people and by the people 
  • This historic moment forced the nation, to reflect on the quality and meaning of post- 1994 democracy, against the perennial and historic problem of non-belonging, erasure and damnation of the majority black population, subject to poverty, unemployment and inequality
  • Thus, the nation had to better contend with the long arc of liberation, through a renewed social contract, thatfosters unity of purpose, amongst erstwhiledifferent political parties, within the parliamentary system
  • Of significance, was a paradigmatic shift in the ways of doing things, that ushered in possibilities of a new beginning , a new script, on a continuum of protracted historic struggle, committed to redress through a more restitutive discourse
  • Meaning, our nation was challenged to relook at the South Africanexperiment with new eyes, in a confrontation with our painful history as constitutive of the present, and the present as constitutive of the past
  • In this way, ushered in a new era of optimism, united in our diversity, to redefine our vision for the next 30 years.
  • It is this renewed vision that has been a subject of much misinformation, with an aim of creating unnecessary anxiety, fear and distrust
  • In this respect, we must join our government in its humble callfor political tolerance,the respect for territorial sovereignty, against the resurgent imperial and neo-fascist thread, underpinningpublic statements being made by some global leaders, in an effort to resist our democratic programme of transformation


MEETING CONTEXT


  • Equally, it takes place, in a world that is experiencing significant geopolitical and global shifts, challenging us to mobilize new grammar of politics, as we observe persistent threats to our common objectives, for a rules based system of multilateralism, that ensures democracy, peace, justice and sustainable development
  • The paradigm of war and conflicts that persists across different continents, re-opens the urgency and the task for strengthened parliamentary diplomacy, towards a just and equitable world
  • To this extent, in our considered view, another world is possible, if we are to recommit on our joint action, that encourage partnership, cooperation and continuous dialogue, even around ongoing issues of contention
  • The 27th SA-EU Inter-parliamentary Meeting convened in the European Union, in its Joint Statement, provides a basis for our institutions to strengthen partnerships and assert the role of parliamentary diplomacy in a complex and contested geopolitical space
  • The historic relationship between the South African Parliament and European Parliament, cemented by the Joint Declaration of February 2008, provides an anchor and common platform for robust relations that recommit to engagements on a regular basis on issues of mutual interest and to share views on global matters


28TH SA-EU IPM OBJECTIVES

  • We are therefore convening to ensureconfidence-building between the two Parliaments which have, in turn, a positive effect on the SA-EU strategic partnership;
  • We convene to develop a sound, informed Parliamentary position on Africa and the European Union’s vision of regional integration, development, peace and security; and to
  • Ensure more efficient Parliamentary scrutiny of the intergovernmental EU-SA agreements and their implementation.
  • Hon Co-Chairperson, these Inter-parliamentary Meetings seek to play an essential role in the current evolving work of our parliamentary diplomacy and multilateralism, as it foregrounds strategic dialogue, as we deliberate on issues of mutual interest, within our countries and our regions in particular.
  • These engagements further provide our parliaments with the opportunity to complement the work of our national governments, and give expression to promotion of North to South dialogue and strategic cooperation
  • Consequently, continues on the firm foundation laid during the last meeting that was convened in France (Strasbourg), wherein commitments were made on a number of issues that informed the substance of Joint Statement.
  • Key amongst the issues included ;
  • On Peace, Conflict and Security: Russia and Ukraine Conflict: The ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine was of great concern as it adversely impacts all African and European countries.
  • Both delegations expressed their continued commitment to uphold the UN Charter and principles of international law, and reiterated that all governments must act in a manner consistent with the purposes and principles of the UN Charter in its entirety
  • All states were to refrain from the threat or use of force to seek territorial acquisition against the territorial integrity and sovereignty or political independence of other states.
  • Both delegations agreed on the need to prioritize a process of peaceful resolution through dialogue and called for an end to human suffering and people dying.
  • A call was made to the United Nations Security Council to pursue its objective of maintaining international peace amongst the nations of the world.
  • To this end, there remains the urgent need for substantive negotiations to commence towards achieving sustainable and lasting peace and security in the region.
  • On Palestinian Conflict; the delegations deplored the loss of innocent lives since 7 October 2023 in Israel and Palestine and the thousands of wounded, and called for an immediate and unconditional release of all hostages taken since then.
  • Both delegations expressed fear that escalation will inevitably cause more suffering to civilians, both Israelis and Palestinians which risks more instability to a region already plagued by tensions and war.
  • On Multilateralism, both delegations stressed the need to further advance on the joint commitment to promote effective multilateralism, as well as to work towards more converging positions in the multilateral fora.
  • Both sides also agreed to continue working closely in support of the on-going UN system reform efforts, including of the UN Security Council, in order to make it more effective, representative, democratic and inclusive.
  • On Trade (Economic Partnership Agreements, Non-Tariff Measures/ barriers, Raw Materials/Mineral) delegations agreed that the overall objective of the EU-SADC EPA is to contribute through trade, for sustainable economic growth and poverty reduction in Southern African countries.
  • In this regard, both delegations acknowledged that although trade has increased significantly between both sides, the two delegations agreed that the EU-SADC Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) needs to be modernised in order to adapt to dynamic developments like the African Continental Free Trade Area and to address more effectively pressing issues for the SADC region such as inequality, unemployment and climate change.
  • The IPM recognized that there are some trade impediments between the EU and SA that have to be resolved through continuing constructive dialogue. Both delegations agreed to continue the dialogue and enhance collaboration to ensure eradication of trade impediments including through effective utilization of Parliament’s core functions of law making, oversight and parliamentary diplomacy.
  • On Climate Change: Members acknowledged the alarming global impact of climate change, and agreed that addressing global warming should be a joint sustainable development priority within the framework of the implementation of the Paris Agreement.
  • The 27th IPM further discussed issues relating to the implementation of the EU’s Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) aimed at decarbonising trade to reduce global greenhouse gas emissions and agreed that it is crucial that its implementation is carefully executed and takes into account potential negative impacts on African economies and societies.
  • The two delegations also emphasized the outstanding importance of the “Just Energy Transition Partnership”, which is the first of its kind and ought to support South Africa’s move away from fossil energy sources and to accelerate its transition to a low emission, climate resilient economy.
  • To this end, this platform affords us an opportunity to reflect on the progress made in the implementation of issues deliberated on and articulated in our previous Joint Statements. However, we do also look forward to engaging on issues of mutual interest as reflected in the topics to be discussed.
  • Honourable Members, the outcomes of this 28th SA-EU Inter-Parliamentary deliberations should support and reinforce the initiatives we have made to ensure that Parliaments continue to amplify the efforts of our governments’ and further use the softer power of parliamentary diplomacy to unlock the disputes which result to lack of progress in advancing trade related matters amongst our government.
  • Our joint statement reflecting progressive decisions at multilateral level must enable parliaments to influence future meetings of the SA-EU at Ministerial and Summit level, in quest of reinforcing our shared values
  • A dialogue facility must also be strengthened between the EU and SA Legislative Sector, aimed at promoting systemic engagement and cooperation between partners at parliamentary level, both political and administrative
  • We are thus called upon through this meeting of exchange, to tackle current global challenges more effectively, with a greater resolve to end conflicts
  • Through this, together build a better Africa and better world for future generations
  • Hon Co-Chairperson and Members of the European Parliament delegation, we therefore thank you most sincerely for the opportunity to submit and engage on these issues of mutual interest
  • Whilst history takes place under conditions not of our choosing, we hope through these and subsequent deliberations, another possible may be re-born for all our nations 


I thank you!

ISSUED BY PARLIAMENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF SOUTH AFRICA