South African Ratification of the Convention on the Settlement of Investment Disputes between States and Citizens of other Countries (Washington Convention)

NATIONAL ASSEMBLY

FOR WRITTEN REPLY

QUESTION NO: 1474

PUBLISHED IN INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER NO 34 OF 20 OCTOBER 2006

DR PWA MULDER (FF PLUS) TO ASK THE MINISTER OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS

(1) Whether South Africa has ratified the Convention on the Settlement of Investment Disputes between States and Citizens of other States (also known as the Washington Convention); if so, when; if not, who gave the instruction that the Convention should not be ratified;

(2) whether the Government intends to ratify the Convention; if not, why not; if so, at what stage is the process of ratifying the Convention at present;

(3) whether Cabinet approved the ratification of the Convention; if not, why not; if so, when? N1930E

REPLY:

1. South Africa has not ratified the Convention on the Settlement of Investment Disputes between States and the Nationals of other States. The other questions in this regard cannot be responded to as the Department of Foreign Affairs is not the responsible line function department.

2. See response under 1. The Department of Foreign Affairs is not the responsible line function department and is therefore not in a position to answer the questions.

3. See response under 2.