Local view for "http://purl.org/linkedpolitics/eu/plenary/2007-12-11-Speech-2-293"
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"en.20071211.37.2-293"2
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Madam President, Commissioner, I am going to be frank as some Members have been, some more than others. The EU-Africa Summit was a success. Without the constraints of a written text, here are my comments. I remember very well when, at the beginning of the Portuguese Presidency or in fact during the preparations for the Portuguese Presidency, we indicated that holding an EU-Africa Summit was one of our objectives, there were comments, doubts and sometimes even criticisms expressed about us setting this summit as one of our objectives.
Some said: ‘Africa does not raise, among public opinion, society, Member States or the institutions, the necessary interest and commitment for a summit to be held: you, the Presidency, will be alone with very little support. Africa is not on the international agenda and there is no interest’. Others said: ‘there are participative and organisational issues which will be difficult, if not insurmountable’. We were discouraged from taking this idea forward. However, the fact is that we managed to hold this summit, as we say in Portugal, ‘against wind and sea’, or in other words against all odds. We managed this because we did have the support of many Member States which collaborated with us, with the Presidency, in preparing the texts and also in the direct negotiation of the texts with the African representatives. We also had the support of the EU’s institutions, the Commission and Parliament, to the annoyance of the critics and sceptics. We also managed to resolve certain delicate and difficult diplomatic issues. I would not presume to say whether or not this summit was historic: that is for the future to tell us. However, there can be no doubt that this summit marks a new phase in the relationship between Europe and Africa and the fact that it was held was, in itself, a success.
As Commissioner Michel said, we did not avoid at this summit, in our comprehensive dialogue with Africa, the problems, difficulties and differences of opinion. On the contrary! We talked about the problems, the difficulties and what divides us. We talked about trade, security, conflicts and violations of human rights, eye to eye, with frankness and with transparency. However, the aim of the summit was obviously not to negotiate trade agreements – it was not the right place for that – and it was certainly not intended to immediately solve the problem of the Sudan. It was also not intended to immediately solve, with a wave of our magic wand, the situation in Zimbabwe. However, both sides together tackled these issues, discussed them, gave our opinions and, when there were differences, did not shy away from saying what these differences were.
The message conveyed by the European Union on all these issues was absolutely unequivocal. As you know, we discussed Sudan both in plenary and afterwards in a ministerial troika meeting. We also defended our position, the EU’s position, on economic partnership agreements. Mr Mitchell may have spoken on this issue in more depth and more detail, but we had the opportunity to clearly explain what the EU’s position is on economic partnership agreements. We are seeking agreements that are fair and balanced and that favour Africa and our African partners: that is our position and nothing else. We should be absolutely clear on this issue! What we are trying to do is respond to African concerns and aspirations and nothing else. Those who, in this respect, attack, criticise or devalue the effort being made by the Commission, and also the Council in support of the Commission, to conclude the largest possible number of economic partnership agreements by the end of this year are wrong.
Those who say, however, that the summit is not, in itself, the end of the road and that it will not, by itself, revolutionise relations with Africa are right. We need to follow up the decisions made, without any shadow of a doubt. The real value of this summit, its real importance, will be determined in the medium and long term by our capacity to fulfil what was agreed, decided and undertaken. We must therefore follow up the decisions that were taken. We must assess the results achieved and, only then, when this assessment has been made in the medium and long term, will we be able to properly say whether the summit was successful in terms of its consequences and effects.
As I have said, by agreeing a joint strategy, a specific action plan and concrete follow-up mechanisms, by discussing such important and current issues as climate change, integration, energy and immigration, the summit clearly represents a step forward, a maturing of our relationship with Africa. We waited seven years to get from Cairo to Lisbon. We are absolutely certain that we will not wait so long before we have another summit between Europe and Africa. The importance, usefulness and significance of this summit demonstrate, without any shadow of a doubt, the need to hold another summit in the short term. You will understand why the Portuguese Presidency is delighted at this event and this initiative which we shared together. We thank everyone for their cooperation, commitment and effort which made this summit a success."@en1
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