Chairperson, the ACP Partnership Agreement is a covenant between the members of the African, Caribbean and Pacific Group of States on the one hand and, on the other, the European Community, which is normally called the "EC" and its member states in the European Union, EU. It was signed at Cotonou in Benin on 23 June 2000. The Cotonou Agreement encompasses various aspects, including trade, development and political co- operation.
The underlying objective of this partnership is embodied in Article 1 of the agreement, which provides that it is meant to eradicate poverty and create the environment for sustainable development to take place and eventually facilitate the integration of the ACP countries into the world economy. The most significant characteristics of the reciprocal credit and payment agreement, RCPA, are the following: equality of partners and ownership of development strategies; participation by other actors such as civil society, the private sector and local governments; dialogue and mutual obligation; and differentiation and regionalisation. Now, the origin of the ACP Group of States dates back to the Treaty of Rome, which established the European Economic Community in 1957. The ACP countries formalised their relationship with the European Community in 1975 when parties engaged in the preferential trade arrangement as part of the Lom Convention. The external parties only enjoyed preferential trade as part of the general system of preferences.
Due to the fact that external parties could not enjoy the same benefits as the ACP countries, this arrangement put the Lom trade regime at odds with the rules of the WTO; hence it had to be amended.
Now, House Chairperson, the 2005 revision of the agreement focuses on strengthening the political dimension by placing greater emphasis on effective dialogue and results. In addition, it also introduces new dimensions to the co-operative arrangements so as to include new issues such as co-operation in countering the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, and co-operation in the fight against terrorism, as well as against mercenarism.
The revised agreement marks an important break with the past. It has been designed to promote good governance; peace and security; human rights; economic, social and cultural development of the ACP states; and a generally democratic political environment. Thus, the revised agreement is much broader in scope than any previous agreement and is designed to last for 20 years.
South Africa participates in three joint political organs of the ACP-EU: the council of ministers, the joint parliamentary assembly and the committee of ambassadors. The ACP-EU also provides South Africa with the opportunity to promote its policy objectives, strengthen South-South co- operation and advance the consolidation of the African agenda and economic regional integration.
South Africa has to accede to the agreement as stipulated since time for ratification in the agreement lapsed in June 2009. I therefore ask and request this House to agree that we accede to this agreement. Thank you, Chairperson. [Applause.]
Debate concluded.
Question put: That the Report be adopted.
IN FAVOUR: Eastern Cape, Free State, Gauteng, KwaZulu-Natal, Limpopo, Mpumalanga, Northern Cape, North West, Western Cape.
Report accordingly adopted in accordance with section 65 of the Constitution.