Chairperson, chair of the portfolio committee, members of the committee, Members of Parliament, ladies and gentlemen, first of all, let me also thank the foreign diplomats who are present, because the Minister ran out of time. As the Minister normally indicates to us, this is home away from home. So, you are welcome here. We thank you so much for being there, giving us support and helping to guide our global perspectives.
Listening to the debate this afternoon, I think one of the key issues that emerges relates to geopolitical realities. Many people have spoken about that. So, what is the focus of Africa's development? We have just heard Members of Parliament speaking about it. Our reading is that the time for Africa's development is now. Therefore intratrade needs to be strengthened. That is a critical focus, and I heard a member of Cope raise this issue. In fact, in the middle of last year there was an interregional trade engagement, led by our President. A deep analysis was made in the context of interregional trade. An opportunity exists of generating at least US$1 trillion year on year just in terms of intratrade. So, I must say no, those discussions were not left hanging. They are in fact of critical importance.
Two issues were raised by an hon member of the DA, one relating to the Ivory Coast and the other to Zimbabwe and Libya. Deputy Minister Ebrahim did touch on the issue of Libya. However, the reality of the Ivory Coast situation is that there were people who were quick to declare that the elections were free and fair and had a particular outcome. However, there is legislation in that country dictating how that should be done. At no stage did South Africa vacillate between views. In fact, we honoured the constitutional responsibilities, as dictated by that particular country, because that is part of our value system. Our value system is that we respect the Constitution. Therefore, the moment there was a quick response after the elections we knew that it was not warranted because there were clear processes and appeal processes towards the election. So, I think it is wrong to put it as fact that we vacillated between views. In fact, based on our value system, South Africa remained loyal to that constitutional imperative. [Applause.]
I will not even touch on the issue of Zimbabwe because the reality is that wherever we go today, be it to the EU, UN or different countries in the world, people and diplomats are saying that the position of South Africa - which is to make sure the road map continues - is the best possible option, however difficult it may be. Any other option would not be relevant in that context.
Yes, at times it is nice to voice a populist perspective, but the reality is that we are trying to dig deep to resolve the matter. That is what we are grappling with. We call on everyone in our nation, particularly the opposition, to find the maturity needed to differ, even sharply, on our domestic issues but to move beyond our differences and adhere as a nation to our foreign policy positions. We often see other countries appreciating our views, but then certain individuals in our own society, especially from the opposition, raise issues at the level of international fora as if they were from a different nation. We must find the maturity at the right time to agree on our international perspectives and differ sharply on our domestic issues, if there is a need to do so. [Applause.]
The President said that the foundations of our domestic priorities and government's commitment are now mirrored by a very strong and formidable foreign policy. That foreign policy is based on our value system, on international peace and stability, democracy and human solidarity. However, it must also start to seek the link between all of the above and the strengthening of our domestic and economic policy perspectives.
So, we do have five priorities in the country. How do we use our international relations to strengthen and better the domestic priorities? Therefore, we cannot agree with hon Holomisa's view that internationally and in Africa we do a, b and c, yet we have problems in the country. We are living in a global environment. It's a systemic response that we are giving. We can give a systematic response. We cannot believe in first sorting out all our service delivery challenges locally, then moving into the international arena. We have to balance the two and find the correct balancing acts.
What we do suggest is that as we reflect on the economic diplomacy process, it is important to look at unemployment, and in particular youth unemployment, in Africa. If Africa is the next most important place in terms of development, then the North-South axis, the infrastructure realities that we face and all those issues are underpinned by questions regarding the skills base. What we have seen in some countries, even in poorer countries, is a lot of investment in the skills base. However, they are not able to get the benefit of that investment because it is followed by a skills flight. So, the question of training is important, but so is the question of skills retention.
The Minister specifically raised the question of Madagascar. In August last year, South Africa became the chair of the Troika and had to deal with that particular matter. Two years before that there was a road map and different variations of that map, but they were not signed. There are about 11 political parties, or mouvances, and they could not reach any agreement. Since September last year, the process is being driven by the collective of the Troika and then SADC itself, with support from the international community. We must thank the international community because this is an example of where we have been able to find a balance between what we have to do and making sure that information flows among the various international bodies and, in particular, among the countries that have an interest in that part of the world.
This is where we are now: The road map has been signed and there is an interim government of unity. However, that government must hold elections at the right time and certain conditions have to be met before the citizens can go to those elections. We currently have a prime minister from the opposition in office there, and two weeks ago the interim government passed an amnesty law. Those who know the details would know that people did not want to sign the amnesty law - we had problems from both sides. The process is fragile and difficult.
The current process is to call on the two chief protagonists and say that we have to find a resolution between the two of them through some form of negotiation. That is the next step. The electoral institution legislation has been passed and there is the Snat, to which all the political parties have agreed. So, that is the progress that has been made. However, there are some serious challenges, and over the next few days and weeks we will be calling on people to help and give support.
The second last point is around the SA Development Partnership Agency, Sadpa. It is important for us to make sure that this agency becomes a great success. In principle, the successful establishment of this structure will see our country being counted among countries that contribute to the development of other nations. We are already doing that. We are putting forward a draft Bill for establishing the Partnership Fund, and a business case for creating Sadpa has already been put in place. We believe that we now need to create the models and instruments to ensure that Sadpa will be operationalised. [Time expired.] [Applause.]