The idea of a ‘strategic partnership’ came to the fore in the lexicon of international relations in the 1990s. This followed considerable geopolitical changes that marked the end of the Cold War, where the concept was increasingly used to signify relations that were not as formal as an alliance (driven by a shared threat or security concern), but represented something deeper than the ad hoc nature of coalitions.Footnote1
Located within the growing discourse on the concept, role and value of strategic partnerships, this special issue of the South African Journal of International Affairs focuses on the particular case of the EU–South Africa Strategic Partnership. With 2017 marking the first decade of the strategic partnership, this milestone presents an opportune time for reflection on how the partnership has fared, and more specifically on whether this is indeed a strategic partnership, or a partnership in name only.
In the following pages, the EU–South Africa Strategic Partnership is assessed through eight articles which present a diverse interpretation of the value and worth of the strategic partnership. In an effort to draw on perceptions from both sides of the partnership, authors from Europe and South Africa were invited to provide analysis of key thematic areas underpinning the strategic partnership: economic relations, political relations, cooperation on peace and security, and the engagement of the two partners in the context of wider multilateral forums. Through this approach the aim is to provide an empirical review of how relations have developed, allowing for a reflection not only on the functioning of the strategic partnership, but also on how it is perceived.
In conceptualising this project, elements of an early framework for analysis of strategic partnerships presented by Thomas Wilkins (2008) were drawn on. The individual articles work together in building a broader understanding of the functioning of the EU–South African Strategic Partnership, assessing first the formation of the partnership and its implementation in practice. This is followed by analysis of the level of participation and thematic areas of functional cooperation, and finally, an evaluation of the partnership’s cohesion and subsequent scope for deepening bilateral relations, including prospects for durability and longevity.Footnote2
The first article in this issue, co-authored by Chris Landsberg and Lara Hierro, presents the context for the articles that follow by providing the historical overview of relations leading up to the formation of the strategic partnership. The authors also provide a description of the institutional framework and processes which shape the functioning of the partnership. Following from this Mzukisi Qobo and Mills Soko (from a South African perspective) and Christine Hackenesch and Sven Grimm (from an EU perspective) assess the thematic area of economic and development cooperation; again from the South African and EU vantage points, respectively, Lara Hierro and Toni Haastrup look into the peace and security, and Lesley Masters and Camilla Adelle, with John Kotsopoulos, look at global governance and multilateral behaviour. The final article by Philani Mthembu rounds up the implications of the strategic partnership for South Africa’s foreign policy and approach to international relations.
Through their analysis the articles in this volume demonstrate that, despite differences between Brussels and Pretoria, the overarching leitmotif is that the partnership remains important. Indeed, despite challenges identified by the articles, there has been some effort on the part of both parties to develop a substantive rather than an empty strategic partnership. At the same time, it is evident that the partnership is in need of focused attention in order to deliver on the promise of its early days.
Acknowledgements
The articles presented in this issue had their origins in a July 2016 workshop organised by the South African Research Chair (SARChI) in African Diplomacy and Foreign Policy at the University of Johannesburg, in partnership with the Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung South Africa, where academics, practitioners and researchers from Europe and South Africa met to engage on the current and future prospects of the EU–South Africa Strategic Partnership. Appreciation is expressed to members of civil society, government, academia and the various research organisations represented at that workshop, for their input.
Appreciation is also expressed to the authors who have all worked tirelessly on numerous drafts along the route to publication. This special issue is also the result of many hours of hard work by colleagues at SARChI and the editorial team at the South African Journal of International Affairs who have made this publication possible. Special thanks are also extended to our partners at the Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung South Africa who have supported this important project from its conceptualisation, through some rather complex logistics, and in making the research possible.
Notes
1. Wilkins TS, ‘Russo–Chinese strategic partnership: A new form of security cooperation?’, Contemporary Security Policy, 29.2, 2008, pp. 359–360, doi:10.1080/13523260802284365
2. Ibid., pp. 362–7.