SOUTH AFRICA'S Deputy President, Mr Thabo Mbeki, told the Tanaiste yesterday that Ireland should play a central role in ensuring that EU markets were opened to his country's goods.
Speaking after a working lunch with Mr Spring in Dublin, Mr Mbeki said high tariffs imposed on its exports to the EU were hindering South Africa's economic renewal. However he accepted it was unlikely that trade talks between South Africa and the EU would be concluded during Ireland's presidency.
Trade issues dominated the talks between Mr Spring and Mr Mbeki, widely tipped to succeed Mr Nelson Mandela as President. South Africa sends nearly half of its exports to the EU but many goods, such as fruit and wine, face stiff import barriers.
Despite the end of apartheid, these have not been lifted, largely because of resistance from Mediterranean countries which fear competition. South African exporters of fruit and vegetables are at a big disadvantage compared with producers in north Africa or Israel, who pay little or no duty on their exports to the EU.
Mr Mbeki said the EU had originally promised to assist in South Africa's transition from apartheid to democracy in a way which would contribute to its development and that of southern Africa generally. However, the proposals made by EU negotiators in the trade talks were "inconsistent" with these objectives.
Mr Mbeki called on the EU to "have another look" at the proposals. "The EU countries are South Africa's major trading partner, so whatever happens in the negotiations will have a huge impact on our economy.
Asked about the international force proposed for eastern Zaire, Mr Mbeki said a decision on its size and form would be taken by the countries involved at a meeting in Stuttgart tomorrow.
While South Africa was "ready and willing" to participate in measures to provide humanitarian assistance in the region, he said the situation had "change radically".
The Tanaiste agreed that the situation had changed "drastically" since the return of up to 700,000 refugees to Rwanda. However, long term humanitarian concerns still remained.
Mr Mbeki (54) belonged to the "pragmatist" wing of the African National Congress during the struggle against apartheid. After more than 25 years of exile, he led the ANC delegation which held secret talks with the South African government from 1989. He was elected chairman of the ANC in 1993 and became Deputy President of the Government of National Unity the following year.
His visit to Dublin is part of an eight nation tour of European capitals.
