Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
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Question 163: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will provide a report on the EU Co-operation Council with South Africa held recently in Cape Town; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38382/08]

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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The 9th meeting of the Joint Cooperation Council between the European Union and the Republic of South Africa took place in Cape Town on 3-4 November 2008. This meeting was one of a series of regular meetings between the EU and South Africa.

Among the topics discussed were the continued implementation of the Trade, Development and Cooperation Agreement, agricultural issues, other trade-related issues, regional integration and the Doha Development Agenda. While there are differences of emphasis between the EU and South Africa on some of these issues, the overall tone of the discussions was constructive and forward looking.

Ireland attaches great importance to the development of a strong partnership between the EU and South Africa, through the means of the Cooperation Council. South Africa is the single most important partner of the EU in the sub-Saharan region and a significant regional actor.