Backing for EU-China-Africa triangular dialogue

European Parliamentarians this week called for a trilateral dialogue with China and Africa in response to the Chinese “go-out” policy to procure oil and natural resources in African nations.

The aim is “to view relations Africa and China in a global context to build on a win-win cooperation rather than competition,” reads the resolution voted this week at the Strasbourg plenary of Members of the European Parliament (MEPs). 618 Parliamentarians were in favour, 16 against with 17 abstentions.

The report drawn up by Portuguese Socialist, Ana Gomes, contributes to the ongoing brianstorming in Brussels on the shape of future China-Africa-EU triangular relations. The European Commission has launched a public opinion poll inviting comments on the whom, why and what shape future ‘triangular’ relations should take. A European Commission report is to be released September 2008 to erect the signposts.

MEPs in Strasbourg suggested that EU Member States and EU institutions coordinate their approach to discuss “methods and aims” of a triangular development policy.

China’s drive in Africa is led by a need for natural resources and energy, reads the Gomes report. For example, Chinese State-owned company CNCP now controls between 60-70 per cent of Sudanese oil production.

Whereas in most cases EU investment is tied to respect for human rights and good governence, China has no particular conditions. This leads to bad governance and human rights violations, continues the Gomes report.

The EU’s challenge in Africa is to sustain cooperation and direct its influence to support for government, institutions and civil society and promotion of human rights and democracy, whereas China should fulfil its role as a member of the UN Security Council in respecting human rights, securing good governance, transparent management of ventures in Africa and promotion of trade, suggests the Gomes report.

The report contains a set of recommendations which provide food for thought for the Commission’s own paper including a call for China “to suspend any arms trade deals with those governments that are responsible for human rights violations, are involved in conflicts or on the brink of war such as Zimbabwe, Sudan, Chad, Democratic Republic of Congo, Ethiopia and Eritrea.”

It further recommends that China increase the transparency of it national arms export control regime and ensure complete reporting of arms exports to the UN register on Conventional Arms Exports.

MEPs encourage Chinese export-credit agencies like Exim Bank to carry out environmental assessments of infrastructure projects in Africa such as dams, roads and mines and that “a percentage of profit in local community development” should be included in international conventions on energy resources, extraction or exploration.

MEPs also give their backing to the setting up of an African Partnership Forum of all all major donors and investors and China, involving bodies too such as the African Union and the New Partnership for Africa’s Development (NEPAD). The resolution also voiced willingness for a dialogue between the European Parliament, the Chinese People’s Congress, the Pan-African Parliament and African national parliaments.

To give your opinion on the shape of triangular relations visit:
http://ec.europa.eu/development/how/consultation/index.cfm?action=viewcons&id=3384&lng=en