Minister of Foreign Affairs, Dr Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma, to host Norwegian Foreign Minister, Jan Petersen, Durban, South Africa, 26 March 2004

Minister of Foreign Affairs, Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma, will host her counterpart from The Kingdom of Norway, Minister Jan Petersen for bilateral political and economic discussions on Friday, 26 March 2004 in Durban, South Africa.

Bilateral discussions between Minister Dlamini Zuma and Minister Jan Petersen are expected to include, among others:

• Regional politico-economic discussions;
• Co-operation on human rights;
• Challenges being experienced by the African continent namely: Sudan, the Horn of Africa, Burundi, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Zimbabwe; and
• The deteriorating politico-security situation in the Middle East, Iraq and Sri Lanka;

It is envisaged that the upcoming visit by Minister Petersen will serve to strengthen the political relations between the two countries, broaden and deepen economic relations, especially increased direct investment, and further promote development cooperation between South Africa and Norway.

In this regard, the operationalisation of the African Union (AU) and the implementation of the New Partnership for Development (NEPAD) will feature prominently in the discussions since the Nordic countries have expressed their complete support for the transformation of the Organisation of African Unity (OAU) to the AU in the hope that it would enable Africa to meet the challenges posed by new global condition.

At the first South African - Nordic Summit held in Skagen, Denmark during June 2000, the Nordic countries expressed their full support for the new African economic agenda (NEPAD). This represented an important milestone in mobilising international consensus around the Millennium development goals ahead of the United Nations Millennium Summit and the need to address Africa's particular needs and challenges.

In the subsequent Molde Declaration, adopted during the second South Africa - Nordic Summit that was hosted by Norway in May 2002, the Nordic countries recognised that African countries faced formidable challenges in meeting the Millennium Goals. At the same time, they welcomed the new sense of awareness and confidence that is emerging from the African continent to reach these goals.

In addition, Norway is keen to increase the AU's capacity to prevent and resolve conflicts. Norway is involved in the project "Training for Peace", where the Norwegian Institute for Foreign Policy has entered into co-operation with two South African research institutions to supply information and provide training in peacekeeping according to the Nordic model.

Ministers Dlamini Zuma and Peterson will also discuss co-operation with the South African Police Service (SAPS) in capacity building and training to establish a professional police force in the DRC and to train a large number of South African police as peacekeepers.

Support for SADC is an important part of Norway's Africa policy. In addition to bilateral development assistance to Southern African countries, Norway provides funding directly to SADC.

Norway sees South Africa as an important partner in bridging the North-South divide, particularly in the area of human rights, which has traditionally been one of tension between North and South.

During the visit a Declaration of Intent between both countries will be signed. Whilst in South Africa, Minister Petersen will also attend a performance by the Norwegian State Opera on Robben Island that forms part of Norway's contribution to South Africa's 10-years of democracy celebrations.

Economic Relations

Fundamental to trade relations between both countries is the Generalised System of Preferences (GSP) for the import of goods from developing countries that was extended by Norway to South Africa on 6 May 1994.

Through this mechanism, goods imported by Norway from South Africa are not submitted to the normal customs duties. These tariff preferences provide an incentive to traders to import products from developing countries like South Africa and helping them to compete on international markets.

A number of Norwegian companies are planning to expand their operations in South Africa through increased investment and technology. Norwegian companies have shown interest in joint ventures, expansion of existing operations, buying into local companies, as well as the exploration of small, micro and medium enterprises (SMME). Through the matchmaking programme, the Norwegians are willing to assist South African SMMEs that have viable business plans in joint venture operations.

Development Cooperation

Between 1977 and 1994 Norway channelled funds totalling R800 million to South Africa in general aid and through UN agencies. In 1992, Norway allocated R60 million for the benefit of the victims of apartheid. In October 1993 NOK 100 million (R45,5 million) was allocated to South Africa as development aid for 1994. The 1994 allocation for humanitarian aid and human rights in South Africa was maintained at NOK 80 million (R36 million).

Norway then undertook to supply South Africa with transitional development cooperation for five years period 1995 - 1999. Norway's development cooperation contribution to South Africa until the end of 1999 was R60 million per year, totalling R300 million. The total amount disbursed during the period 1994 - 1999 was R 412 574 000. The amount for the period 2005 - 2009 will be over R 25 000 000.

Research Agreement

A R35 million research cooperation agreement between South Africa and Norway was signed during December 2001. The groundwork for this agreement was laid in December 1999, when Dr Ngubane had a discussion with former Minister of Education, Research and Church Affairs of Norway, Jon Lilletun on the need to strengthen relations between both countries in the areas of higher education and research and to support historically disadvantaged institutions in South Africa.

Education

In 2000 the South Africa Norway Tertiary Education Development (SANTED) Programme was signed with the Department of Education. Norway provided NOK 54 million for four components; academic support programmes focused on access and retention of non-traditional students at two historically disadvantaged universities (University of the Western Cape (UWC) and University of Durban Westville (UDW)); cooperation between South African higher education institutions and similar institutions in Southern Africa (SADC institutional cooperation); capacity building and restructuring of higher education institutions at UWC and UDW aimed at processes of leadership and management and how these lead to institutional success in the implementation of institutional restructuring projects.

The SANTED programmes currently consist of 10 projects and 16 institutions.

Issued by Ronnie Mamoepa on 082 990 4853.

Department of Foreign Affairs
Private Bag X152
Pretoria
0001

24 March 2004

Background

The Skagen Declaration

We, the participants of the Nordic-South Africa Summit, consisting of the President of the Republic of South Africa and the Prime Ministers of the Nordic Countries, note with appreciation the ever strengthening ties between South Africa and the Nordic countries, as evidenced by the unique quality of the Nordic-South Africa Summit in Skagen, Denmark, on 8 June 2000.

The Nordic Prime Ministers noted the enormous challenges the African Continent continues to face at the dawn of the 21st Century. They also welcomed the new sense of confidence and responsibility that is emerging in the greater parts of Africa as well as its vast economic potential. It was agreed that whilst Africa advances towards democracy and economic stability, the continent's challenges call for extraordinary, sustained intervention and co-operation, not only among Africans themselves but in partnership with the international community.
In this context the Nordic Prime Ministers expressed their support for president Mbeki's Africa initiative for rapid economic growth and sustainable development on the African continent.

The Summit agreed on the need to review the global economic system and global financial architecture to ensure that:

• a considerable transfer of resources and capital from the developed to the developing countries in the form of long term capital flow and direct investment takes place;
• the process of globalisation should lead to increased access to markets and technology transfers that work for the benefit of all;
• debt relief, including HIPC initiatives, is enhanced;
• there is access to affordable health care and education for all.

The implementation of such a strategy will create new opportunities for rapid economic growth, develop the private sector, create jobs, and will help reduce poverty and curb the spread of infectious diseases on the continent, taking existing initiatives into consideration.

In this regard, the willingness of the Nordic countries to work towards more favourable terms of trade for Africa at the next round of WTO negotiations was welcomed.

We also recognise that Africa must have its share of the Information Technology revolution in order to avoid a further widening of the digital divide. The Nordic Prime Ministers agreed on the need to actively support Africa's participation in the New World Economy. South Africa and the Nordic countries agreed to make IT a major part of their future development cooperation. We agree to work together to place this question high on the international agenda.

South Africa and the Nordic countries stressed that peace and stability are fundamental conditions for sustainable economic growth and social development. The Nordic countries recognise that South Africa continues to play an important role by promoting peace and development in the Southern African region. We, the Nordic Prime Ministers and the President of the Republic of South Africa, therefore acknowledged the importance of focusing on a comprehensive strategy for conflict resolution and prevention in order to expand the frontiers of peace, democracy and development.

Furthermore, South Africa and the Nordic countries agreed on the importance of the follow-up conference to the World Summit for Social Development held in Copenhagen in 1995 which is due to be held in Geneva later this month. It is vital that all parties concerned stand by their commitments and that appropriate actions be taken to reverse a continued marginalisation of major parts of the world population and to eradicate poverty.

We also agreed to give full support to the UN Millennium Summit and welcome the report by the Secretary-General of the UN for the Summit.

Today the President of South Africa and the Prime Ministers of the Nordic countries have agreed to embark on a new comprehensive framework of co-operation at all levels including increased consultations within multilateral fora.

Skagen, Denmark, June 8, 2000

THE MOLDE DECLARATION

The President of the Republic of South Africa and the Prime Ministers of the Nordic countries, meeting in Molde, Norway for a Second Nordic-South Africa Summit, recalled their summit in Skagen, Denmark in June 2000 and their agreement to intensify co-operation and dialogue between their countries, and noted with great satisfaction the further strengthening of ties between the Nordic countries and South Africa.

The Nordic Prime Ministers paid tribute to the constructive role South Africa plays in the region, and particularly in Southern Africa, in terms of economic development, promotion of human rights, good governance and conflict management and resolution.

The President of the Republic of South Africa and the Prime Ministers of the Nordic countries recalled that world leaders at the UN Millennium Summit committed themselves to reduce by half by the year 2015 the number of people living in extreme poverty. They also underlined the importance of following up the Monterrey Consensus, which highlights the need for a new partnership between developing and developed countries in combating poverty and achieving development.

They recognised that African countries are facing formidable challenges in meeting the Millennium Goals. At the same time, they warmly welcomed the new sense of awareness and confidence that is emerging among African leaders and on the African continent to reach these goals.

In this context the Nordic Prime Ministers welcomed the progress made since the Skagen summit in developing the New Partnership for Africa's Development (NEPAD).

The Nordic Prime Ministers expressed their full support for the goals of NEPAD. It was agreed that to achieve good democratic governance and stronger economic growth, leadership by Africa, as well as a close partnership with and support from the international community, was needed. The Nordic Prime Ministers committed themselves to assisting Africa to achieve the international Millennium Development Goals.

In particular, the Summit agreed on the need to reform the global political, economic and financial architecture to ensure a more equitable voice for Africa in global decision-making institutions and to make the global institutions more responsive to Africa's needs. There is a need to reform and streamline the donor recipient relationship and delivery systems on a basis of mutual accountability, as well as to promote Africa as a destination for private sector investment.

In adhering to the commitments and obligations enunciated under this Declaration and the Skagen Declaration, the Summit agreed on a system of mutual accountability and joint monitoring of performance. Such support agreed upon should be concrete, predictable and measurable.

The participants expressed the hope that concerted international efforts, including in the context of the WTO, would lead to increased investment, enhanced market access and stronger economic growth in developing countries, and thus contribute to development and to the reduction of poverty. They also underlined the need for efforts to curb the spread of infectious diseases on the continent, in particular HIV/AIDS, TB and malaria.

They welcomed growing economic and commercial relations between South Africa and the Nordic countries, and noted that there was scope for further growth. They renewed their commitment made in Skagen to collaborate in developing Information and Communication Technology (ICT) in Africa in order to narrow the digital divide, a goal set out in NEPAD as well. They underlined the key role the private sector plays in ICT development, and agreed to encourage relationships between private business, universities, research institutes and various organisations working in ICT.

The participants welcomed the planned restructuring of the African Union to enable it to meet challenges posed by new global conditions and the imperatives set out in NEPAD.

The participants at the Molde Summit underlined that peace and stable democracy are preconditions for development. Parts of the African continent have been ravaged by violent conflicts, and there is an urgent need to strengthen mechanisms that will help prevent, manage and resolve violent conflicts in Africa. They welcomed progress made towards resolving conflicts, through efforts of both regional and international partners. This includes progress both in the Arusha Peace Process for Burundi and in the Lusaka Peace Process for the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The Nordic countries appreciate the important role South Africa is playing in efforts to resolve both these conflicts and to bring peace to the region.

The Nordic countries welcomed and supported the initiative by President Mbeki and by Nigeria's President Obasanjo to promote inter-party dialogue in Zimbabwe. South Africa and the Nordic countries expressed their deep concern about the political situation and economic crisis in Zimbabwe. In order to achieve security and stability in the region, the Zimbabwean people are encouraged to work towards reconciliation in order to create conditions for the enhancement of democracy, safeguarding human rights and economic reconstruction, including the alleviation of food shortages for the people of Zimbabwe.

The participants at the Molde Summit agreed on the importance of meeting and informally discussing these issues, and thus expressing their shared aims and objectives. They agreed to meet again at an appropriate time to discuss issues of mutual interest.

Molde, Norway, 12 May 2002