Sadc, EU sign 163m euro agreements 

Source: Sadc, EU sign 163m euro agreements | The Sunday Mail

SADC Council of Ministers chairperson and Foreign Affairs and International Trade Minister Professor Amon Murwira (right in background) and Poland’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Radoslaw Sikorski (left in background) look on as SADC Executive Secretary Mr Elias Magosi (right) and European Commission Directorate-General responsible for international partnerships Mr Hass Stausboll display cooperation agreements between SADC and the EU at the new Parliament building in Mt Hampden yesterday. — Picture: Kudakwashe Hunda

Debra Matabvu

THE Southern African Development Community (SADC) and the European Union (EU) yesterday signed eight financial agreements worth over €163 million, aimed at supporting various socio-economic programmes in the region.

The deals, signed under the Mid-Term Review of the Multiannual Indicative Programme for Sub-Saharan Africa, are expected to enhance cooperation and integration between the two blocs.

Programmes funded under the initiative cover areas such as peace and security, trade in services, natural resource management, agriculture, institutional capacity building, digital transformation, strategic corridors and market access.

Speaking at the SADC-EU Ministerial Partnership Dialogue held at Parliament building in Mt Hampden, Foreign Affairs and International Trade Minister Professor Amon Murwira, who chairs the SADC Council of Ministers, said the EU’s support would boost regional cooperation.

“These programmes will extend support from the EU, amounting to €163,9 million, in the areas of peace and security, trade in services, market access, institutional capacity building, natural resources management, strategic corridors and agriculture, and digital transformation,” he said.

“As SADC, we are grateful for this support, which will effectively contribute towards the implementation of the regional integration agenda.

“ This financial gesture also serves as a testimony to our existing cooperation.”

Minister Murwira urged SADC member states to take greater responsibility in funding their health sectors, particularly in light of declining aid from Western donors.

“Linked to the climate vagaries are public health emergencies which are a source of great concern to our region,” he said.

“We, therefore, call upon our partners to support SADC’s health financing, including research and development.

“In the same vein, we call upon governments in the SADC region to move towards financing health from domestic resource allocation to ensure the sustainability of public health services.”

He underscored the importance of vaccine manufacturing in addressing diseases such as malaria and cholera, which remain major health threats in the region.

“In addressing some of the tropical diseases, the global health community, including the World Health Organisation, is piloting the rollout of vaccines for malaria and cholera,” he said.

“In order for the region to mount effective interventions against health emergencies, adequate vaccine manufacturing is key.

“A lot of work still needs to be done to reach the desired capacity and thresholds for the manufacturing of vaccines and other essential medicines.”

Prof Murwira highlighted security concerns in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), calling for stronger collaboration between SADC and the EU to address the ongoing conflict.

“One of the most topical issues on our agenda is peace and security,” he added.

“You will agree with me that conflict and violence are currently on the rise throughout the world, and our region has not been immune to these challenges.

“Our SADC Regional Indicative Strategic Development Plan (RISDP 2020-2030) identifies peace and security as the foundation pillar of our regional integration and sustainable developmental aspirations.

“We are, therefore, confident that our deliberations today will reflect on these issues and offer sustainable and lasting solutions.

“As SADC, we are concerned about the deteriorating security situation in the eastern parts of the Democratic Republic of Congo.

“It is our fervent hope that the peace efforts that have been deployed thus far will lead to durable peace that the people of DRC so deserve.”

Speaking on behalf of the EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and Vice-President of the European Commission, Ms Kaja Kallas, Poland’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr Radoslaw Sikorski, reaffirmed the EU’s commitment to its partnership with SADC.

“We have a partnership of equals, going back over 30 years in which we have to speak frankly about our own goals and our own challenges,” he said.

“This partnership has developed, thanks to your dedication and commitment.

“As you know, the EU is a firm supporter of regional integration, being itself a successful example that has brought peace and prosperity to our continent.

“We are looking forward to strengthening our partnership to new levels through closer dialogue on political and security matters, and through the Global Gateway initiative.”