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EU-Africa Dialogue - Ministerial Troika Meeting

1. In the framework of the EU-Africa dialogue, the EU-Africa Ministerial Troika meeting was held in Rome on November 10, 2003 under the Co-chairs of the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Co-operation of Mozambique, Hon. Leonardo Santos Simao, current Chairperson of the AU Executive Council and the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Italy, Hon. Franco Frattini, President in exercise of the EU.

The EU Troika was composed of the Irish Minister of Foreign Affairs, Hon. Brian Cowen, future EU President, the Member of the European Commission Poul Nielson and the Deputy Director General for External Relations of the EU Council, Mr. Anastassios Vikas. The African Troika was composed of the South African Minister of Foreign Affairs, Dr. N.C. Dlamini Zuma, outgoing Chairperson of the AU Executive Council, of the Deputy Chairperson of the AU Commission, Hon. P. Mazimhaka and the AU Commissioners Ms. J. Dolly Joiner and Ms. E. Tankeu.

2. The discussions, held in a friendly and constructive atmosphere, were focused on the following agenda:

• Enhancing the effectiveness of the EU-Africa dialogue
  
  
• Development, governance and social issues
  
  
• Peace and security
  
  
• Issues of mutual concern: Zimbabwe and possible ways to address jointly similar cases in the future

3. Enhancing the effectiveness of the EU-Africa dialogue

The two sides reaffirmed the strategic nature of the partnership between the EU and Africa and acknowledged that the EU-Africa dialogue is a political process aimed at reaching common understanding on issues of mutual interests.

In this context both sides emphasized the growing importance of addressing jointly problems in the area of migration, which is included in the Cairo Plan of Action. In this regard, the two sides agreed to discuss in depth the issue at the forthcoming Troika meeting at Officials' level scheduled for the first quarter of 2004 and to hold preliminary contacts in preparation of such discussion.

The discussions emphasized the joint commitment to continue and deepen the dialogue. To this end the two sides agreed to ensure a balance in the dialogue between political and development issues. To this end, NEPAD is a framework that should contribute to a strengthened EU-Africa dialogue. Both sides also agreed to enhance the effectiveness of the EU-Africa dialogue both in content and in modalities. To this end, Ministers agreed to streamline the dialogue as follows:

a) Content

Both sides agreed that the dialogue should be streamlined around four clusters of common priorities: (i) Peace and security issues; (ii) Governance (iii) Regional integration and trade and (iv) Key development issues. The aim of this regrouping is not to evacuate some priority areas identified in the Cairo process, but rather to make the dialogue more efficient, flexible and focused.

These clusters would also allow addressing new issues of common interest.

b) Modalities

In view of a more effective dialogue the meeting agreed on the following approach:

• Meetings in Troika format. Whenever required, the Troikas will be open to "Chefs de file" on the relevant issues and assisted, if necessary, by experts.
  
  
• The two Commissions will play an increased role.

At the same time, the meeting reaffirmed the framework set up in Cairo, which foresees meetings at Summit and Ministerial levels as well as Bi-regional meetings of Senior Officials which will be convened on the eve of each Ministerial Meeting in full format.

c) Continuity

In order to ensure the continuity of the dialogue, it has been suggested to establish a process of consultations both in Addis Ababa and Brussels in Troika format. All efforts should be made to ensure close coordination in this exercise.

d) Follow-up

The meeting stressed the need to assess the implementation of the outcome of the Ouagadougou Ministerial meeting.

As incoming EU Presidency, Ireland has offered to host a Troika meeting at Officials' level during the first quarter of 2004 on a date to be communicated.

Discussions and the corresponding report on the issue of Africa's External Debt should be prepared as a matter of priority by experts meeting within the enlarged Troika to be held in the first quarter of 2004.

This meeting will also address other outstanding issues identified in Ouagadougou with the participation of the relevant "Chefs de file".

Both sides agreed to follow up on all outstanding issues as agreed upon in Ouagadougou.

4. Peace and Security

The two sides underscored the importance of peace and security as a prerequisite for sustainable development of Africa. They welcomed the efforts and progress made by both sides to enhance the dialogue on a regular basis on this issue.

Ministers noted with satisfaction the concrete progress made in the establishment of the AU peace and security architecture and expressed appreciation for the efforts made to prevent conflicts and ensure peace in various areas across the continent.

The two sides discussed some of the major conflict situations in Africa as well as the ongoing efforts to accelerate the entry into force of the PSC Protocol. They emphasized the need for a more sustained, comprehensive and flexible support to peace processes on the continent.

The two sides also exchanged views on the peace processes in Europe and in other regions of the world.

With regard to the conflict in Burundi, Ministers underscored the positive role played by the first entirely African multinational peace keeping force (AMIB). Ministers welcomed the EU initiative to provide a contribution of € 25 mio to it and urged donors to make additional contributions to the financing of the mission. In view of the progress made in the peace process the two sides agreed to work together for an early deployment of a UN peacekeeping Mission.

With reference to the request made by the AU during the Maputo Summit of July 2003 to the EU, to set up a Peace Support Operation Facility (PSOF) in order to fund peace support and peace keeping operations in Africa and to strengthen African capacities in this field, Ministers welcomed the proposal of the European Commission to allocate € 250 mio to this end, and called for the quick operationalisation of the Facility, which is built on the principles of African ownership and solidarity and interaction between the AU and relevant sub regional organizations. They expressed appreciation for this initiative, which is aimed at supporting African peace keeping efforts and institution and capacity building. The functioning of the Facility will require an enhanced and permanent political EU-AU dialogue and continued consultations with the UN.

5. Issues of mutual concern

The EU reaffirmed its concern with regard to the situation in Zimbabwe, while restating its readiness to engage in dialogue with the Government in Harare on the basis of the benchmarks established. The African side reaffirmed its position on the issue and the need for the early convening of the EU-Africa Summit in order to give the much needed political impetus and legitimacy to the partnership between the two sides.

Both sides:

• welcomed the launch of the dialogue on the situation in Zimbabwe in the framework of the EU-SADC dialogue;
  
  
• agreed that similar cases should be addressed jointly in the future in an open and constructive manner and at an early stage in the framework of the enhanced dialogue;
  
  
• recommitted themselves, taking into account progress made in reviving the dialogue, to work vigorously towards the early convening of the Lisbon Summit with full participation on both sides at the highest level.

Ministers underlined the ongoing efforts of the AU and notably the AU Commission in defining and implementing an agenda for the promotion of democracy, good governance and the respect of human rights and welcomed the progress made as enshrined in the Constitutive Act. The European side further recalled its readiness to continued support to

6. The EU side raised the issue of the International Criminal Court (ICC) as a matter of common interest. Both sides underlined the strong commitment to end impunity of crimes against humanity and agreed therefore on the importance of a speedy ratification and implementation of the Rome Statute.

7. The African side congratulated Italy for the decision to return the Obelisk and encouraged other countries to follow this positive example.

Signed in Rome, November the 10th 2003

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