Issued by: Department of Foreign Affairs
31 May 2001
The Republic of South Africa and the French Republic resolve to unite their efforts in promoting the following important issues:
RACISM
The French Republic and the Republic of South Africa wish to emphasise the importance that they attach to the success of the World Conference against Racism, Racial Discrimination, Xenophobia and related Intolerance, to be held in Durban from 31 August to 7 September.
The Conference should be a reminder the suffering endured by generations who were removed from their land and reduced to slavery. The conference will have to recognise that racism is still a menace to all societies and the individuals that form a part of them, as is shown by the recently abolished apartheid system.
The two countries understand that the World Conference should have a pragmatic orientation, and should be aimed at concrete measures, both nationally and internationally, in order to make contemporary forms of racism across the world disappear, whether it be through preventative, educational or protective measures, or through the establishment of efficient resources, whilst seriously taking into account the instruments relating to human rights.
AIDS
The Republic of South Africa and the French Republic confirm the necessity of mobilising the international community in the fight against the AIDS/HIV epidemic and the importance of the meeting of the Extraordinary Session of the General Assembly to be held in New York from 25 to 27 June 2001. The two countries call particularly upon the international community to respond to the emergency situation created by the impact of the epidemic in sub-Saharan Africa.
The two countries underline the importance of implementing a policy allowing access to health care to the greatest possible number of victims, especially through the reduction of medication prices, which is to parallel the prevention policy.
The countries support the proposal to organise an international meeting on this topic at the end of 2001, in order to give an operational follow-up to SEAGNU.
ENVIRONMENT AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT
The Republic of South Africa and the French Republic confirm the necessity of mobilising the international role in the protection of the environment and the promotion of sustainable development. In this vision, the President of the Republic of South Africa and the Prime Minister of France have emphasised the crucial importance of the International Summit on Sustainable Development to be held in September 2002, presided by the United Nations. They also agree on the necessity for international communities to commit to responding, on this occasion, to deficiencies due to the growth in poverty, particularly in Africa, and the marginalisation risks of this continent. Amongst others, the Summit in Johannesburg should also be an opportunity to work for the reinforcement of international governance in matters relating to the environment in matters relating to the environment.
CONFLICT PREVENTION AND RESOLUTION
The Republic of South Africa and the French Republic note that the United Nations Security Council has the main responsibility for maintaining peace and international security, taking into account the United nations Charter, the universality and the impartiality of the United Nations, as well as the unequalled experience it has gained in this field. The two countries wish to re-affirm their commitment to efforts aimed at reforming the Security Council into a more transparent, representative and democratic body and express the need for the reform process.
The two countries express their support for the expansion of the Security Council in the two categories including new permanent members from developing countries.
The two countries also wish to confirm the indispensable role of the United Nations in reinforcing capacities to succeed in its missions to maintain peace, without prejudice to the other fields of responsibility of the United Nations. In this framework, and with respect to the Charter, the Republic of South Africa and the French Republic are convinced of the need to develop the capacities of regional and sub-regional organisations in conflict prevention and resolution matters, especially in Africa.
AFRICA
The Republic of South Africa and the French Republic wish to emphasise that the relationship between peace and security on the one hand, and poverty eradication and economic development on the other, is an indivisible one. It is therefore of primary importance that the international community fully and speedily fulfils the obligations it accepted in terms of the United Nations Millennium Declaration.
MILLENIUM AFRICA PROGRAM
The Republic of South Africa and the French Republic reaffirm their commitment to the vision of an African Renaissance. The two countries recognise and support the need for a new partnership between Africa and the developed world, resulting in Africa's integration into the global economy. The two countries urge that all existing commitments made with regard to international development targets in health, education, gender equality, debt reduction, poverty reduction and ODA be fully implemented.
In adopting the MAP the OAU recognises that Africa holds the key to its own development. The adoption of a development strategy, together with a detailed plan of action, will mark the beginning of a new phase in the partnership and co-operation between Africa and the developed world.
Both sides welcome the expansion of the MAP Steering Committee through the inclusion of Senegal and Egypt.
Further concur that this decision will facilitate the integration of OMEGA as decided by the OAU.
Call on all countries with the necessary capacity to incorporate other initiatives into MAP in the quest to promote a common development agenda for Africa.
For more information please contact Basetsana Thokoane
Cell No 083 443 7740