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The economic and political future of the world depends on regional cooperation and multilateral relations between countries, the President of the European Parliament, Mr Martin Schulz, noted during a bilateral meeting this week with Speaker of the National Assembly, Mr Max Sisulu, and Chairperson of the National Council of Provinces, Mr Mninwa Mahlangu.
 
During the frank and collegial meeting, a first on South African soil between these presiding officers, the significance of and role envisaged for Parliaments in the context of international agreements was explored.
 
Oversight, accountability and effective representation of ordinary citizens are increasingly coming under the spotlight as the two Parliaments seek to further tighten cooperation and to ensure that international agreements are value-based and serve the interests of the people.
 
Mr Sisulu and Mr Mahlangu had warm “African words of welcome” for Mr Schulz and his delegation. They expressed appreciation for Mr Schulz’s “important stop-over and address at the Pan African Parliament earlier.”
 
“Africa’s time has come. If the promise of this era is to be fully realised, our challenge as Parliaments is to work to ensure that democracy is sustained and one important way to sustain it is by ensuring that democracy works for the ordinary people” Mr Sisulu said.
 
While particularly upbeat about “the significant” political achievements South Africa has registered since 1994, Mr Sisulu and Mr Mahlangu expressed concern that political achievements were not matched by similar achievements on the economic front.
 
Our economic transformation has lagged behind, they said. We continue to have, in our country, pockets of affluence surrounded by a sea of poverty. Economic transformation is the single most important challenge facing our nation and the contribution that this partnership could make to address this situation cannot be overemphasised.
 
Mr Sisulu commended European Union (EU) support for capacity development within the South African legislative sector.
 
With the help of the EU, about 400 Members from Parliament and Provincial Legislatures have obtained tertiary certification from different universities in the country.  South Africa and India are the only countries in the world which assist Members with formal education.
 
“Education is important for democracy. It can only lead to more effective Parliaments with Members performing their legislative and oversight responsibilities better and with greater confidence,” Mr Sisulu said.
 
Mr Mahlangu emphasised the “growing list of achievements and benefits from the partnership for the South African legislative sector and highlighted the need to enhance Parliament to Parliament relations and to create avenues for relations that will contribute to job creation.”
 
In his reply, Mr Schulz noted the “very long list of shared political, economic and social interests” between South Africa and the EU.
 
“As a continent, we attach enormous importance to our partnership with South Africa, the Southern Africa region and the continent of Africa. The European Union is not only interested to keep your confidence, but we are more interested to fight to restore your confidence.
 
“We intend giving even more attention to the relationship between our continent and South Africa with a view to improving our collaborative arrangement even more.
 
“This country’s democracy is value-based. You had to overcome legislated racism. You succeeded in fostering a new value system to support democracy in your country with admirable success. Europe also had to overcome racism and dictatorship which almost destroyed the continent. Upholding human rights and a capacity to forgive is the common base between in our value-based democracy,” Mr Schulz said.
 
The EU is the world’s biggest trading bloc as well as South Africa’s biggest trading partner with a population in access of 500 million.  Good governance, education and capacity development, trade relations, human rights are the core elements of an ongoing debate to deepen relations between South Africa and the European Union.
 
Relations between South Africa and the EU date back to the early days of our democracy. A strategic partnership was signed between the two in 2009.