THURSDAY, 14 MARCH 2002 __

                    PROCEEDINGS AT JOINT SITTING
                                ____

Members of the National Assembly and the National Council of Provinces assembled in the Chamber of the National Assembly at 14:03.

The Chairperson of the National Council of Provinces took the Chair and requested members to observe a moment of silence for prayers or meditation.

              WELCOME TO PRESIDENT C A CIAMPI OF ITALY

The CHAIRPERSON OF THE NCOP: Order! Hon members, Mr President, we are honoured to have amongst us today His Excellency President Carlo Azeglio Ciampi of the Republic of Italy, who has been invited to address this Joint Sitting of Parliament on the occasion of his visit to South Africa.

Your Excellency President Ciampi, you are welcome in our Parliament and we are pleased to have this opportunity to further facilitate the strengthening of relations between Italy and our country, the Republic of South Africa, and to welcome your own efforts towards strengthening the ties between Africa and Europe.

I now call on the Deputy Chairperson of the NCOP to introduce His Excellency President Ciampi. [Applause.]

The DEPUTY CHAIRPERSON OF THE NCOP (Mr M L Mushwana): Madam Speaker of the National Assembly, Madam Chairperson of the NCOP, President Ciampi, President Mbeki, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Italy Senator Mantica and members of the delegation accompanying the President of Italy, hon members of Parliament, distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen, it is indeed a great pleasure for me to introduce and welcome to this august House the President of Italy, His Excellency President Ciampi.

President Ciampi is the first Italian head of state to visit our country since the birth of our fledgling democracy in 1994. [Applause.] Let me tell the House about some of the highlights of his career. During the Second World War he was a member of the Italian resistance movement, which fought against fascism, and that experience places him in a good position to understand the struggle for freedom waged by the people of South Africa against the colonial and apartheid regimes.

President Ciampi is a banker by training. As a young man, and after the war, he joined the Bank of Italy and toiled there for about 40 years. He worked his way up, starting as an ordinary economist and becoming the governor of the bank in 1979. His dedication to improving the lives of the Italian people is demonstrated by his lengthy commitment to the banking fraternity.

Yesterday, at a banquet hosted in his honour, President Ciampi shared a table with President Mbeki, and I hope, as an economist of high repute, he was able to give our President some good advice on the remedies needed to cure our ailing rand. [Laughter.] [Applause.]

In 1993 President Ciampi left the bank for a life in politics. He was twice Minister of the Budget and Economic Planning and once Prime Minister. He was elected President of his country in May 1999. President Ciampi has brought with him an impressive business delegation of CEOs from top Italian companies. Italy is one of South Africa’s top 10 trade, investment, co-operation and technology partners. It is indeed evident that this state visit will provide an excellent opportunity to broaden and deepen the economic ties existing between our two countries.

Yesterday, at the state banquet, President Ciampi said:

In the age of interdependence, we shall all gain by joining forces. Whether globalisation will prove a good or an evil is up to us. We therefore look forward to the success of the ongoing bilateral meetings between the two countries.

President Ciampi’s visit to our country takes place at a time when Africa is looking to the future with great pride and optimism. African countries have recently formed the African Union, and, in July this year, our President will be inaugurated as the first president of this new body. The African Union will provide a forum for the expansion of the opportunities for closer economic links and co-operation between African countries on the one hand and between Africa and the European Union on the other.

Let me conclude. Italy is much admired by its partner countries in the European Union. In fact, I am told that there is a Tuscan faction - Tuscany is one of the provinces in Italy - in one of the ruling political parties of a northern neighbour of Italy in the European Union. The intensity of the passion for Italian life and culture of the members of parliament who make up the Tuscan faction is what defines them as a political faction. We too are fervent admirers of Italian culture, wines and clothes … [Interjections.] … the way Italians play football and, of course, Italy’s fast cars. [Laughter.] I hope that President Ciampi’s visit here this week will encourage the development of a similar political faction in our own Parliament.

On behalf of the members of this august House and the people of South Africa, we welcome you, Your Excellency. [Applause.]

The CHAIRPERSON OF THE NCOP: It is now my great pleasure and honour to call upon His Excellency President Ciampi to address Parliament. [Applause.]

        ALLOCUZIONE DEL PRESIDENTE DELLA REPUBBLICA ITALIANA

Presidente C A CIAMPI: Signora Presidente dell’Assemblea Nazionale, Signora Presidente del Consiglio delle Province, Signor Presidente della Repubblica, Signori Ministri, Onorevoli Parlamentari, Signore e Signori, la ringrazio, in primo luogo, per la calorosa accoglienza e per le parole e le espressioni di simpatia e di amicizia usate nei confronti dell’Italia e della mia persona. Le ricambio di cuore. Considero un grande onore fatto all’Italia, e a me personalmente, l’invito a prendere la parola davanti al Parlamento sudafricano.

Dopo tante sofferenze ed ingiustizie, la sovranità popolare, la democrazia, le libertà, l’uguaglianza, i diritti umani, di cui l’istituto parlamentare è garante, sono oggi consolidati nella riconciliazione e nella pace civile che fa del Vostro Paese un riferimento per l’intero mondo.

La Vostra capacità di superare le divisioni arbitrarie e crudeli del passato, di unire gli sforzi per il bene comune, la Vostra unità nelle diversità sono motivo di fiducia e di speranza. Gli ideali di democrazia e di giustizia per i quali avete lottato, fino a farli trionfare, sono fonte di ispirazione anche per il resto dell’Africa e per il mondo intero. L’Africa ha bisogno della forza trainante, della democrazia, del buon governo, del dinamismo economico del Sudafrica.

Siete un modello di istituzioni democratiche, di un’economia avanzata e moderna, di superamento delle lotte intestine e dei conflitti, di utilizzo sostenibile delle risorse naturali di cui l’Africa abbonda, di un’efficace tutela dell’ambiente. La rinascita dell’Africa dipende molto da voi. Lo hanno dimostrato i Paesi dell’Unione Africana accogliendo l’iniziativa del Presidente Mbeki e lanciando l’anno scorso a Lusaka la Nuova Partnership per lo Sviluppo dell’Africa. Lo hanno dimostrato l’Occidente, l’Europa e l’Italia appogiando il Nuovo Partenariato per lo Sviluppo Africano, impegnandosi per il suo successo. Non potete, non possiamo fallire.

Non ignoro le difficoltà: diseguaglianze ed ingiustizie da riparare; sicurezza e criminalità; il flagello delle malattie; lo sconforto della povertà; ma voi avete dimostrato che si possono superare ostacoli che sembravano insormontabili.

I legami del Sudafrica con l’Italia sono radicati in una presenza viva e dinamica che si è consolidata nelle ultime due generazioni. Siamo lieti che tanti italiani si riconoscano nell’arcobaleno di questa nazione, siamo orgogliosi di essere una componente di questa società ricca di lingue e di etnie, e di avervi contribuito con la nostra cultura, la nostra creatività e laboriosità.

Per decenni, mentre la nube dell’apartheid condizionava i rapporti del Sudafrica con il mondo, l’opinione pubblica italiana era vicina al popolo sudafricano in lotta per la libertà. I rapporti ufficiali ne risentivano. Dalla solidarietà siamo passati alla collaborazione attiva. É ora di guardare al futuro: vediamo nel Sudafrica un partner affidabile, promettente e amico.

Sono convinto che il potenziale dell’associazione fra l’Italia e il Sudafrica può dare frutti preziosi. La mia visita è accompagnata da concrete iniziative per avvicinare l’imprenditoria italiana a questo Paese, attraverso crescenti investimenti, scambi commerciali e collaborazione industriale, e per rafforzare la cooperazione in campo culturale e scientifico. Il quadro entro il quale sviluppare una collaborazione proficua e vantaggiosa per entrambi è rafforzato dall’Accordo di Associazione all’Unione Europea, in corso di ratifica da parte del Parlamento italiano.

Domani a Johannesburg si apre un Foro economico italo-sudafricano con la partecipazione di importanti imprese italiane. Vogliamo dare impulso alla già importante corrente bilaterale di scambi e di investimenti.

La spina dorsale dell’economia italiana, la sesta al mondo, è costituita dalle migliaia di piccole e medie imprese che uniscono le loro forze in sistemi produttivi territoriali, i cosidetti ``distretti industriali’’. L’accresciuta cooperazione può diffondere in Sudafrica questa cultura di impresa così tipica dell’Italia e l’insediamento di nuove attivitàproduttive. Lo sviluppo non richiede solo capitali. Si alimenta di capacità imprenditoriali di metodi e di processi che generino occupazione e competitività. Ieri, qui a Cape Town, un seminario scientifico ha dato forma ad una innovative cooperazione tra il Polo Scientifico di Trieste e la comunità scientifica sudafricana ed ha prodotto un’importante intesa. La dichiarazione di Cape Town su scienza e tecnologia per lo sviluppo sostenibile, è stata firmata ieri dagli scienziati dei nostri due Paesi e sottoscritta in mia presenza dai nostri Governi.

Essa sancisce una partnership non solo e non tanto per il superamento del divario tecnologico, ma sopratutto per il potenziamento dell’alta formazione e della ricerca di base, imprescindibili strumenti perchè l’Africa si doti di un suo capitale umano e maturi tutte le capacità necessarie per gestire i propri problemi. Sarà anche la Dichiarazione di Cape Town, un originale contributo congiunto del Sudafrica e dell’Italia, al prossimo Summit Mondiale sullo sviluppo sostenibile, che Johannesburg si accinge ad ospitare, un impegno di grande rilevanza per il Vostro Paese che vuole farne una svolta nel segno dell’equità e dell’etica nelle relazioni Nord-Sud.

Ho ben vivo il ricordo dell’incontro che la Presidenza italiana del G8 volle organizzare a Genova, nel luglio scorso, tra i Capi di Stato e di Governo dei Paesi più industrializzati ed alcuni eminenti leaders del mondo in via di sviluppo. Prima dell’incontro, il Presidente Mbeki mi aveva esposto a Roma la sua visione di rilancio dell’Africa e di collaborazione con il mondo industrializzato. Ne rimasi fortemente impressionato e convinto che fosse la via da seguire per tre motivi: primo, perchè l’iniziativa era dell’Africa; secondo, perchè con essa l’Africa assumeva la responsabilità per il proprio futuro; e terzo, perchè lanciava al mondo industrializzato una sfida etica.

A Genova, Ella, Signor Presidente della Repubblica, presentò insieme con i Capi di Stato di Nigeria, Senegal, Mali e Algeria, il documento approvato dal Vertice di Lusaka dell’OUA, che oggi porta il nome di Nuovo partenariato per lo sviluppo (Nepad). La comunità d’intenti dei leaders africani fece capire a tutti che la nozione di ``Rinascimento Africano’’ era diventata l’aspirazione di un intero continente.

Partnership significa eliminare condizionamenti imposti dall’esterno, assumere impegni reciproci sulla base di principi condivisi: buon governo, Stato di diritto, democrazia, sana gestione dell’economia, condizioni di lavoro dignitose ed eque, rispetto dei diritti umani. Il Piano d’azione per l’Africa, che sarà sottoposto al Vertice G8 di giugno, in Canada, sarà la risposta alla sfida.

L’Italia è orgogliosa di aver contribuito a focalizzare l’attenzione sui problemi dell’Africa e a lanciare a Genova il Fondo Globale per combattere AIDS, malaria e tubercolosi. Continuerà a impegnarsi nella nuova partnership.

Le conclusioni della Conferenza di Doha dello scorso novembre comportano nuove responsabilità del mondo industrializzato verso i Paesi in via di sviluppo, in tre direzioni: facilitazioni per la disponibilità dei medicinali essenziali; assistenza tecnica ai fini di accrescerne la capacità di attivare e gestire scambi e flussi finanziari internazionali; accesso ai mercati.

La coscienza stessa dell’umanità si ribella alle condizioni di povertà, spesso estrema, in cui vive oltre metà del genere umano e la maggioranza delle popolazioni africane. I conflitti catastrofici come quello nei Grandi Laghi, le nazioni senza Stato come la Somalia, le epidemie che rischiano di decimare intere popolazioni non sono inevitabili.

Dopo la tragedia dell’11 settembre, l’Italia, il Sudafrica, l’intera comunità internazionale, hanno serrato le file della solidarietà con gli Stati Uniti. L’11 settembre è stato anche un tragico risveglio agli effetti della interdipendenza del mondo in cui viviamo. Se tolleriamo l’instabilità di intere regioni, conflitti etnici o religiosi, profonde ineguaglianze sociali ed economiche, allora saremo destinati ad assistere ad altri atti di terrorismo. Il terrorismo è un male da sradicare.

Ma per raggiungere questo obiettivo, la lotta contro la povertà, la marginalizzazione, la piaga delle malattie, deve fare un salto di qualità e di intensità. Ciò richiede uno sforzo della comunità internazionale ben più determinato ed incisivo. Se non cesserà, se non verrà meno, la marginalizzazione dell’Africa, non vi saranno sicurezza e prosperità per nessuno.

Qui, in Sudafrica, una nazione finalmente riconciliata con se stessa ha avuto la forza morale di confrontarsi con il doloroso passato, non per vendicarsi ma per conoscersi meglio e per capire, concedendo perdono a quanti lo domandavano e riparazione a quanti la necessitavano. Qui, razze, culture e religioni diverse hanno saputo rompere le barriere entro le quali voleva confinarle l’apartheid e riconquistare eguale dignitànelle diversità. Il lavoro della Commissione per la verità e la riconciliazione presieduta dall’Arcivescovo Tutu è un monumento alla civiltà politica e giuridica universale. Sotto la Sua guida, Presidente Mbeki, con l’impegno del governo e dell’intera classe politica del Paese, con la partecipazione della nazione, il Sudafrica offre una visione di speranza per i destini dell’Africa nel XXI secolo.

Stamane ero a Robben Island. Porterò sempre con me le immagini delle mura e delle celle che hanno cercato, senza riuscirvi, di incatenare gli aneliti di giustizia di questa nazione. Per lunghi anni, la società italiana ha seguito con trepidazione la marcia verso la libertà del popolo sudafricano. Oggi rendo omaggio a nome del popolo italiano e mio personale, alle vittime dell’apartheid, alla grandezza morale ed al coraggio civile di quanti hanno trasformato il proprio dolore in convivenza umana e politica per tutti. Traggo motivo di conforto dai segnali di speranza che si moltiplicano nel continente. Nessun Paese africano è oggi governato da militari. L’Unione Africana ha preso la storica decisione di non più accettare nel suo seno Governi nati da colpi di Stato. In diversi Stati dell’Africa l’economia ha ripreso a crescere. I sistemi politici sono più aperti, la stampa è più libera, la società civile più matura ed articolata. L’esempio del Sudafrica è stato trainante della crescita nella partecipazione politica. Un’ampia partecipazione dei cittadini apre la strada a governi più responsabili davanti agli elettori, a una migliore gestione dell’economia, all’abbattimento della corruzione, anch’essa fonte di povertà, di emarginazione, di degrado. Il processo democratico è fonte di prosperità per tutti. Invito i governanti dello Zimbabwe a mantenere la democrazia che è la chiave di volta della rinascita africana.

Ricorre quest’anno il decimo anniversario della pace in Mozambico, firmata a Roma il 4 ottobre 1992 al termine di ventisette mesi di negoziati. Dopo la pace, il Mozambico ha dimostrato di saper fare riforme strutturali e di poter crescere sul piano economico a tassi molto alti. Il Mozambico ha un valore esemplare anche per altri conflitti apparentemente senza sbocco. Penso all’Angola, dove le prospettive apertesi vanno prontamente colte; penso alla crisi dei Grandi Laghi, nella quale il Sudafrica, anche grazie alla mediazione del Presidente Mandela, svolge un ruolo positivo insostituibile. Penso infine alla crisi in Somalia per la cui soluzione l’Italia resta profondamente impegnata.

Nel mettere in ordine la propria casa, l’Africa richiama la comunità internazionale alle proprie responsabilità e agli impegni presi per promuovere il suo inserimento nell’economia globale. Ciò comporta anche un comune impegno sui grandi temi della difesa dei patrimoni culturali e naturali, che sono richezza e che definiscano l’identità di ogni nazione. Il Sudafrica e l’Italia possono sviluppare assieme questo impegno sul piano bilaterale e all’UNESCO, cui l’Italia tanto contribuisce, nell’ambito di una comune azione.

Sono colpito dalla bellezza e dalla natura del Vostro Paese. Le sue foreste che custodiscono e alimentano un patrimonio di diversità biologica, i suoi mari, i tesori che l’opera di millenni ha prodotto e che il sottosuolo custodisce, il suo clima, i suoi colori. Sono ricchezze infinite del Sudafrica. Dovete esserne fieri, consapevoli e fermissimi nel consegnarle intatte ai Vostri figli per i figli dei Vostri figli, per la comunità umana.

Nel primo anno del XXI secolo l’Africa ha preso due storiche decisioni: ha creato l’Unione Africana ed ha ideato la Nuova Partnership per lo Sviluppo. Sostenendo queste scelte coraggiose fatte liberamente dagli africani, la comunità internazionale ha la storica opportunità di estendere i benefici dello sviluppo anche a questo continente, di costruire un ordine mondiale più giusto e più sicuro per tutti.

L’Italia è pienamente cosciente che l’Africa costituisce la sfida decisiva della nostra epoca. Insieme ai nostri partners dell’Unione Europea, vogliamo fare dell’associazione con l’Africa una realtà a beneficio dei popoli africani, europei, occidentali e della comunità internazionale tutta.

Sento in pieno la responsabilità, che intendo assolvere con profonda consapevolezza e impegno personale, di dirvi ad alta voce in questo consesso: il XXI secolo deve diventare il secolo dell’Africa. Viva il Sudafrica, viva l’Italia. [Applauso.] Viva il partnership fra l’Unione Europea e il Sudafrica. [Applauso.] (Translation of Italian speech follows.)

          ADDRESS BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE ITALIAN REPUBLIC

[President C A CIAMPI: Madam Speaker of the National Assembly, Madam Chairperson of the National Council of Provinces, President of the Republic, Ministers, hon members of Parliament, ladies and gentlemen, thank you firstly for your warm words of welcome and friendship for Italy and myself. I return your good wishes wholeheartedly. I consider your invitation to speak before the South African Parliament a great honour for Italy and for me personally.

After much suffering and many injustices, the ideals of popular sovereignty, democracy, freedom, equality and human rights, of which Parliament is the guarantor, have today taken form in the reconciliation and civil peace that make your country an example for the entire world.

Your ability to overcome the arbitrary and cruel divisions of the past and unite your efforts for common good and your unity despite diversity are reasons for confidence and hope. The ideals of democracy and justice for which you fought, and which you have achieved, are a source of inspiration for the rest of Africa and the entire world. Africa needs the drive, democracy, good government and economic dynamism of South Africa.

You are a model of a democratic institution, of an advanced and modern economy, of triumph over internal conflicts, of sustainable use of the natural resources in which Africa abounds and of successful environmental protection. The rebirth of Africa depends greatly on you. The countries of the African Union who welcomed the initiative of President Mbeki and together with him launched the New Partnership for Africa’s Development in Lusaka last year showed this. The West, Europe and Italy, who gave their support to the New Partnership for Africa’s Development, committing them to its success, also accredited this. You - we - cannot fail.

I do not overlook the difficulties: inequality and injustices to rectify; threats to safety; crime; the scourge of disease; the discomfort of poverty. Even so, you have shown that it is possible to overcome obstacles that seemed insurmountable.

South Africa’s bonds with Italy are rooted in the living and dynamic presence of the Italian community that has formed over the last two generations. We are glad that so many Italians can identify with the rainbow colours of this nation. We are proud to be part of this society rich in languages and ethnic groups and to have contributed to it with our culture, creativity and industry.

For decades, while the clouds of apartheid darkened South Africa’s relations with the world, Italian public opinion was close to South Africans in their struggle for freedom. Official relations between the two countries were affected. From solidarity we moved on to active co- operation. It is time to look to the future. We see in South Africa a reliable, promising partner and friend.

I am convinced that the potential association between Italy and South Africa can bear valuable fruit. My visit is accompanied by concrete initiatives to bring Italian business to this country through increased investments, trade and industrial collaboration, and to strengthen cultural and scientific co-operation. The Association Agreement with the European Union currently being ratified by the Italian Parliament strengthens the framework within which a mutually advantageous co-operation can develop.

Tomorrow, in Johannesburg, an Italian-South African economic forum will be opening, with the participation of important Italian companies. We want to boost the already important bilateral current of trade and investments between our two countries.

The backbone of the Italian economy, the sixth largest in the world, is made up of thousands of small and medium-sized businesses that join forces in productive territorial systems known as industrial zones. Increased co- operation between us can help spread this business culture so typical to Italy and bring about the installation of new productive activities within South Africa. Development does not, however, only require capital to flourish. It is nourished by entrepreneurial skills, by methods and processes, which generate employment and competitiveness.

Yesterday, here in Cape Town, a scientific seminar took place. It resulted in an innovative co-operation between the Trieste Science System and the South African scientific community and the result was an important declaration. The Cape Town Declaration on Science and Technology for Sustainable Development was signed yesterday by the scientists of our two countries and, in my presence, by representatives of our Governments.

This declaration confirms a partnership not only aimed at bridging the technological gap, but, above all, aimed at strengthening advanced training and basic research: both necessary instruments to equip Africa in developing its human capital and in nurturing all the many skills needed to tackle its problems. The Cape Town Declaration will also be an original joint contribution by South Africa and Italy to the next World Summit on Sustainable Development to be held in Johannesburg. The summit is a commitment of great importance for your country, which wants to make it a turning point for equity and ethics in relations between North and South.

The memory of the meeting, organised by the Italian Presidency of the G8 in Genoa last July, between the heads of state and governments of the most industrialised countries and some eminent leaders of the developing world, is still vivid in my mind. Before the meeting, President Mbeki outlined to me, in Rome, his vision for the rebirth of Africa and for co-operation with the industrialised world. I was greatly impressed and convinced that it was the right path to follow, for three reasons: firstly, because the initiative was African; secondly, because with this initiative Africa was taking on responsibility for its own future; and, thirdly, because it was launching an ethical challenge to the industrialised world.

In Genoa, Mr President of the Republic, you presented, together with the heads of state of Nigeria, Senegal, Mali and Algeria, the document approved by the Lusaka Summit of the OAU which today bears the name of New Partnership for Africa’s Development, Nepad. The common intent of the African leaders made it clear to everyone that the notion of an African Renaissance had become the aspiration of the entire continent.

``Partnership’’ means eliminating externally imposed constraints and adopting reciprocal commitments on the basis of shared principles: good governance, the constitutional state, sound economic management, dignified and just working conditions, respect for human rights. The Action Plan for Africa that will be submitted at the G8 Summit in June in Canada will be the answer to this challenge.

Italy is proud to have contributed to focusing attention on Africa’s problems and to launching, in Genoa, the Global Fund to fight Aids, Tuberculosis and Malaria. She will continue to commit herself to the new partnership.

The conclusions of the Doha Conference last November bring new responsibilities for the industrialised world towards the developing countries. These are in three directions: assistance in the availability of essential medicines; technical assistance to increase the ability to activate and manage trade and financial flows; and access to markets.

The conscience of humanity itself rebels against the conditions of often extreme poverty in which over half of the human race and the majority of the African populations live. Catastrophic conflicts like that of the Great Lakes, nations without a state such as Somalia and the epidemics that threaten to decimate entire populations are not inevitable. After the 11 September tragedy, Italy, South Africa and the entire international community closed ranks in solidarity with the United States. The 11th of September was also a tragic alert to the effects of the interdependence of the world in which we live. If we tolerate the instability of entire regions, ethnic or religious conflicts or profound social and economic inequalities, then we are doomed to witness other acts of terrorism. Terrorism is an evil which must be eradicated.

In order to achieve this goal, the battle against poverty, marginalisation and the plague of disease must be pursued with greater conviction and intensity. This requires a much more determined and incisive effort by the international community. If the marginalisation of Africa is not stopped, there will be no security and prosperity for anyone.

Here in South Africa, a nation finally reconciled with itself had the moral strength to confront its painful past. This was done not to take revenge but to gain self-knowledge and understanding, granting pardon to those who asked for it and reparation to those who needed it. Here, different races, cultures and religions have succeeded in breaking down the barriers within which apartheid wanted to confine them, and in recovering equal dignity in diversity. The work of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission chaired by Archbishop Tutu is a monument to universal political and legal civilisation. Under your guidance, President Mbeki, with the commitment of the Government and the entire political class of this country, and with the support of the nation, South Africa offers a vision of hope for the destiny of Africa in the 21st century.

This morning I was on Robben Island. I will always carry with me the image of the walls and the cells that tried, without success, to smother the cries for justice of this nation. For many long years, the Italian society has followed with trepidation the march towards freedom of the South African people. Today I pay homage, on behalf of myself and in the name of the Italian people, to the victims of apartheid and to the moral greatness and civil courage of those who have transformed their pain into human and political coexistence for all.

The signs of hope that are increasing on this continent comfort me. No African country is today governed by the military. The African Union has taken the historic decision to no longer accept governments born out of coups d’état. In various African states, the economy is once again flourishing. Political systems are more open, the press has more freedom, and civil society is more mature and developed. The example of South Africa has been a driving force to the growth in political participation. Broad participation by citizens opens the way to governments that are more responsible in the face of their electorates, to improved management of the economy and to the removal of corruption, which is an added source of poverty, marginalisation and deterioration. The democratic process is a source of prosperity for all. I appeal to the leaders of Zimbabwe to maintain democracy, which is the key to African rebirth.

This year marks the 10th anniversary of peace in Mozambique, signed in Rome on 4 October 1992 at the end of 27 months of negotiations. Following this peace, Mozambique has shown the ability to establish structural reforms and to achieve extremely high rates of economic growth. Mozambique is also an example for other seemingly irresolvable conflicts. I am thinking of Angola, where the prospects that have opened up must be seized; of the crisis of the Great Lakes, where South Africa, thanks in part to the mediation of President Mandela, is playing a positive, irreplaceable role; and finally, of the crisis in Somalia, where Italy remains deeply involved in finding a solution.

In putting in order its own house, Africa calls the international community to its own responsibilities and to the obligations they have made to promote Africa’s inclusion in the global economy. These include debt remission, better conditions for trade, sounder public and private financial flows, and more investment. They also include a common obligation in defending the cultural and natural heritage, a wealth that characterises the identity of every nation. South Africa and Italy can develop this commitment together on a bilateral level and under the auspices of Unesco, to which Italy contributes to a large extent.

I am struck by the beauty and nature of your country. Its forests watch over and nourish a wealth of biological diversity, its oceans, its protected underground treasures formed over millennia, its climate, and its colours. These are the infinite riches of South Africa. You must be proud of them, aware and firm in imparting them intact to your children, for your children’s children and the entire human community. In the first year of the 21st century, Africa took two historic decisions: it created the African Union and established the New Partnership for Africa’s Development. In supporting these courageous choices freely made by the Africans, the international community has the historic opportunity to extend the benefits of development to the continent too, to build a world order that is more just and more secure for all.

Italy is fully aware that Africa is the decisive challenge of our era. Together with our partners in the European Union we want to make of our association with Africa a reality, to the benefit of the African, European and Western populations and of the whole international community.

I feel fully responsible in fulfilling my personal commitment here at this meeting: the 21st century must belong to Africa. Viva South Africa! Viva Italy! [Applause.] Viva the partnership between the European Union and South Africa! [Applause.]]

                           VOTE OF THANKS

Ms F HAJAIG: Madam Chairperson, Madam Speaker, Your Excellency Comrade President Mbeki, Your Excellency President Ciampi, Italian delegates, Mrs Mbeki, colleagues and friends, it is indeed a pleasure to welcome President Ciampi to our beautiful land and to thank him for addressing this House.

Relations between Italy and Africa go back a long way, from North Africa to the Horn of Africa to South Africa, where immigrants arrived over a number of years. In fact, I live in a house built by an Italian émigré. My garden is full of fruit trees, especially exotic ones such as persimmon and pomegranate. Grapevines abound, and the gentleman even pressed his own grapes for wine, so I inherited casks and a wine-press. It is a great pity that I do not drink wine. [Laughter.]

The first agreement between Italy and South Africa was signed on 5 January

1. This was, in fact, a treaty for the extradition of criminals. Our countries have always had cordial relations.

We especially wish to thank Italy for assisting us in 1994, after our first democratic elections, in breaking the international isolation we were in owing to the racist policy of apartheid. Italy assisted us in becoming accepted as an equal and respectable member of the international community. Italy was instrumental in having the European Union’s economic sanctions lifted and was the first member of the EU to sign an economic agreement with South Africa. For that we are grateful, for it showed Italy’s confidence in us as a very new, fledgling democracy. Our trade balance is improving and we hope that, with the EU-SA trade agreement in place, our exports will find their way into Italian markets.

A memorandum of understanding on development co-operation was signed in 1996 in Rome. This assisted in promoting our small business sector. A further development co-operation partnership is soon to be formalised. This is especially relevant to us in South Africa as we battle to relieve our people of the scourge of poverty and underdevelopment.

Exciting things are happening on our continent. The African Union has been established. Nepad, the new partnership that President Ciampi spoke about so eloquently, has been accepted by all in Africa and most major nations in the West and the East. The Nepad programme will establish the linkages and synergies that will enable Africa and the international community, especially the highly industrialised countries, to overcome the development chasm that has widened over centuries of unequal relations.

We thank His Excellency President Ciampi. We invite Italy to join us, and we thank him for taking this historic opportunity to support Africa in this challenging endeavour. The divide between the rich and the poor must be diminished if ever world peace is to reign. Once again, I thank His Excellency on behalf of the people of South Africa for taking the time to come to our shores. I hope he will take back to Italy pleasant memories of South Africa and its people. May the friendship of the peoples of Italy and South Africa grow from strength to strength. [Applause.]

The Chairperson of the National Council of Provinces adjourned the Joint Sitting at 14:40.