Portfolio Committee on International Relations & Cooperation Programme; IBSA summit preparations
International Relations
07 July 2009
Chairperson: T Nxesi (ANC)
Meeting Summary
The Chairperson outlined the need for the Committee to define itself, its role and programme, more clearly. There was a need for broad consultation particularly from old members in order to establish how to operate. Members commented that the Executive had undermined the role of the Committee in the past in that the Committee was merely used to rubber stamp agreements. Broader consultation was essential and this included prior sharing of treaties for approval. Members suggested items which they thought would be relevant for adding to the Committee Programme includingMeeting report
Committee Programme
The Chairperson said that there was a need for consultation with previous members of the Committee like Mr B Skosana as well as chairpersons in other portfolios who were dealing with international relations. He indicated that he had already spoken to the House Chair for International Relations. Input from them would ascertain whether the agenda was comprehensive enough. There was a need for workshops as the Committee needed clarity about their role.
The Parliamentary Researcher outlined the time frame for the Committee to work in - this included two lots of seven weeks. The committee budget needed to be taken into consideration. The Committee mandate was to map the programme out with these variables in mind.
Mr B Skosana (IFP) requested that there be broader consultation and not just him. He suggested that the consultation should include the House Chair who was working on this before as well as people who were working with the African Renaissance, the African Parliament and thirdly, the Deputy Speaker. He indicated that the Department Budget Speech was an important consideration.
The Chairperson agreed that broader consultation was needed and the Committee needed to look at ways of bringing in people from other portfolios to a workshop.
Mr K Mubu (DA) listed activities in which the South African government was involved such as mediation and funding on the African continent. He felt that these projects should be included in the programme. He listed the
Mr S Ngonyama (Cope) agreed that
Ms T Magama (ANC) said the Committee needed to find a way of incorporating public diplomacy into the programme. Part of the Committee’s mandate was to ensure public participation.
Mr S Mokgalapa (ANC) agreed that public diplomacy was very important and the Committee should find a way of filtering it through. Also there was a shortfall of R150 million in the Department budget and that would be challenge in achieving their objectives.
The Chairperson pointed out that members were not diplomats but representatives of the people.
The Chairperson said all these ideas presented by members would be incorporated into a revised committee programme which would be sent to everybody in time to comment. There was a need for the Committee to have access to documents which were emerging from various forums. Budgetary constraints were in place across the board as R200 000 had been awarded to each parliamentary committee but there was a general feeling that this would not go very far. There was however an appeal at the meeting of the Committee of Chairs for action in providing more funds. Departments needed to be creative. Considering global crises and exchange rates, there was a need to prioritise.
Mr S Ngonyama (Cope) said that there were different views about African unity in African countries; however the differing views in
The Chairperson replied that
Mr S Ngonyama (Cope) said he could not respond as he did not have knowledge on this and this was the gap between the Committee and Foreign Affairs. He recommended that the Deputy Chairperson should offer advice.
Ms F Hajaij (ANC) said that the Portfolio Committee needed a specific role when it came to oversight and accountability. For the last 15 years there had been conflict between the Committee and the Executive and it was not going to be easy. Policy should not just emanate from the Executive, plus the Committee should be informed about what was in the pipeline. In the past the Executive merely instructed the Committee on ratifications and that it was paramount to blackmail. There was a greater need for co-operation and that documents and agreements should be sent to the Committee first before they were adopted. Events in Africa like the
Mr K Mubu commented that the previous Committee had been undermined because it was simply used to rubber stamp. He suggested that the Chair put all treaties on hold until the Committee was fully informed and that a moratorium needed to be imposed until such time that procedures were carried out correctly. Dialogue with MPs in
The Chairperson relied that his Committee would no longer engage in rubber stamping. There was a need to discuss things with the Minister on how to go forward.
Mr J Van der Merve (IFP) said there were so many issues that could be added to the programme; however the priority for the Committee would be to establish its role. This would entail a workshop and the purpose would be to outline what the responsibilities and expectations were of the Committee. This workshop would discuss where the Committee fitted in with other departments who were dealing with foreign affairs.
Mr S Ngonyama (Cope) agreed and said that it was a wonderful point. The workshop should also work around the approach of the Committee on the continent. Would it act like the ‘big brother’ when dealing with issues in other countries? Therefore the Committee must define itself first.
The Chairperson said that the Committee needed to define itself and their relationship with other departments and how they communicated with each other. A two day workshop was necessary for this. A one day summit to discuss
Mr Mubu said there were other interest groups that could also give valuable input to guide the Committee like the Office of Tibet and interest groups such as Palestinian groups.
The Chairperson replied that when dealing with foreign policy in general; experts would be called in. However specific events would warrant input from interest groups. They needed to be circumspect about whom to invite.
Mr Skosana said that there was a need for balance when it came to representation from interest groups and that both sides should be given an opportunity to express themselves. However members should keep in mind that they were dealing with governments and that interest groups should not be the focus.
Ms B Gxowa (ANC) warned that the Committee must be careful. Background checks of such interest groups and knowledge of their operations was needed and their agenda needed to be sent to the Committee before they made their presentation.
India, Brazil, South Africa tripartite
The Chairperson provided a briefing to a forum on IBSA (India, Brazil, South Africa tripartite) which was co-ordinated by the Department of Trade and Industry. The topic was the preparations for the forthcoming IBSA summit in
Mr Skosana agreed that the Committee needed to pay attention to the focus groups and the selection would revolve around what was on the agenda. He added that academia should also be represented.
Meeting adjourned
Audio
- International Relations and Co-operation Consideration of the Committee Programme; Adoption of Minutes
- International Relations and Co-operation Consideration of the Committee Programme; Adoption of Minutes
- Portfolio Committee on International Relations & Cooperation Programme; IBSA summit preparations
Documents
Present
- We don't have attendance info for this committee meeting
Download as PDF
You can download this page as a PDF using your browser's print functionality. Click on the "Print" button below and select the "PDF" option under destinations/printers.
See detailed instructions for your browser here.