Sello Tang
4 April 2006
"South Africa is an important partner, not only in Africa, but also on international issues," Brigitte Girardin, France's minister for cooperation, development and Francophony, told journalists in Pretoria on Monday at the start of her two-day visit to the country.
Girardin and South African Foreign Minister Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma held discussions on Monday on strengthening the two countries' cooperation in the energy, environment and production sectors.
Charter for Partnership
They also discussed the establishment of alternative financial resources earmarked for financing developmental projects in both South Africa and France.
"Details regarding bilateral cooperation in the finance sector will be discussed with the finance ministry," Dlamini-Zuma said, referring to a scheduled meeting between Girardin and South African Deputy Finance Minister Jabulani Moleketi.
The two were set to discuss a French proposal for a framework Charter for Partnership "which sets out the priorities of our bilateral cooperation for the next five years," Dlamini-Zuma said.
'Swift action' on Koeberg
Dlamini-Zuma thanked France for taking "swift action" to help South Africa deal with power problems at the Koeberg nuclear power station.
This follows a series of power blackouts in Cape Town and in other parts of the Western Cape caused mainly by a damaged electricity generator at the Koeberg station.
Replacement parts to be acquired from Electricite de France (EDF) include a rotor and stator bars to replace damaged ones.
"We are grateful to the President of France [Jacques Chirac], the government and Eskom's partner in that country for their swift action on the issue of Koeberg," Dlamini-Zuma told journalists.
Dlamini-Zuma said that France was a good partner to have, especially if South Africa was to achieve the targets on the implementation of renewable energy set during the 2002 World Summit on Sustainable Development.
SA 'an important partner'
Dlamini-Zuma and Girardin also brainstormed on mechanisms to be applied in the aftermath of conflict in several countries on the African continent, including in the Ivory Coast, Burundi and the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Girardin indicated that, like South Africa, her country was concerned about instability caused by warring factions in many African countries.
She said South Africa and France had a "lot of common will and convergence of views" on issues related to Africa.
"South Africa is an important partner, not only in Africa, but also on international issues," Girardin said, adding that it was important to have regular meetings to look into African issues of common concern.
The ministers also expressed concern at the fragile situation in Ivory Coast. Nevertheless, they were optimistic that the working committee, of which they are members, would find a lasting solution to the impasse in that country.
Aristide 'won't be forced to leave'
Regarding former Haitian President Jean Bertrand Aristide, Dlamini-Zuma dismissed suggestions that he would be forced to leave the country soon.
"South Africa is still willing to have President Aristide here … we are not in a hurry to have him leave," the minister said.
"We will let the Haitian government settle first, to work out their plan … and once the government is functioning well we will then allow [Mr Aristide] to leave."
Source: BuaNews
