Pretoria - South Africa wants to sway the European Union (EU) to assist struggling African countries meet their Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) ahead of the 2015 deadline set by the United Nations.
Speaking to reporters on Thursday following the recent EU-South Africa summit held in Brussels, International Relations and Cooperation Minister, Maite Nkoana Mashabane, said most European countries had expressed a willingness to help developing nations meet their socio-economic obligations as highlighted in the MDGs.
MDGs are the world's time-bound and quantified targets for addressing extreme poverty and diseases that continue to ravage poor counties.
The EU, with no less than 27 European countries, mainly from the rich west, is seen as a strategic partner for Africa's growing economies.
Nkoana-Mashabane said despite the challenges, all parties remained convinced that MDGs will be realised if partners in the international community "demonstrate strong political commitment in implementing policies."
The summit also agreed to a partnership of cooperation between South Africa and EU countries on matters relating to the global economy and financial crisis, climate change, food security and energy scarcity.
South Africa will continue to play a crucial role in peacekeeping missions within the African continent but the EU would need to demonstrate its commitment towards a stable Africa by, among others, lifting the sanctions against Zimbabwe.
Earlier this week, both President Jacob Zuma and his Botswana counterpart Ian Khama called on the western countries to consider ending their targeted economic sanctions against Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe and members of his government. This is a position also supported by regional body SADC.
On Thursday, Nkoana-Mashabane said there was an apparent shift in attitude by the European countries towards the sanctions, following a meeting between the EU and a ministerial delegation from Zimbabwe.
"We think it's about time the European leadership reconsider their position on sanctions... [that as the] international community, [we] start contributing towards a solution to the problems facing that country," she said.
The EU commended South Africa and SADC for their continued efforts to bring about political change in this once prosperous southern African country.
Meanwhile, Nkoana-Mashabane said South Africa will use the Afro-Arab Summit starting in Libya this weekend to enhance economic ties between the African continent and the fast growing Arab world.
This will come in the form of "a joint statement and the adoption of a strategic framework and plan of action," she said.
Responding to security concerns, the minister said the summit would not be disrupted by the recent bombings that rocked Nigeria during the independence celebrations in Abuja. The bombs went off not far from Eagle Square, where thousands had gathered for the official celebrations of the 50 years of Independence.
Describing the incident as barbaric, Nkoana-Mashabane said diplomatic relations between Nigeria and South Africa remained intact despite the arrest in Johannesburg of Henry Okah, an ex-leader of the militant group that claimed responsibility for the bombings.
She said Nigeria had not requested the extradition of Okah, who remains in police custody.
"This incident was uncalled for and ... it should be condemned, especially as it happened when Nigeria was celebrating. Police are handling the matter and they're doing [well]."
