EU leaders are set to strengthen ties with South Africa at their upcoming summit, focusing on geopolitical challenges, especially the Ukraine conflict. Key parties including Presidents Costa, von der Leyen, and Ramaphosa will participate, addressing multilateralism and bilateral cooperation in trade, security, and investment. South Africa remains a vital market for the EU, highlighting the significance of their partnership.
European Union leaders seek to enhance their relationship with South Africa at the eighth EU-South Africa summit on Thursday, recognizing the nation as a significant partner. Key geopolitical issues, particularly the conflict in Ukraine, are anticipated to dominate discussions.
The President of the European Council, Antonio Costa, and the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, will represent the EU alongside South Africa’s President Cyril Ramaphosa at the summit in Cape Town. The summit’s agenda will tackle pressing geopolitical challenges affecting global stability, including “Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine and the ongoing situation in the Middle East.”
President Ramaphosa emerges as a pivotal voice in promoting peace, aspiring to mediate between Ukraine and Russia after years of warfare. Additionally, he extended an invitation to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky for a state visit to South Africa on April 10, aimed at fostering an “inclusive peace process.”
The summit is expected to address critical global and regional issues and establish stronger multilateral ties, especially under South Africa’s presidency of the G20. Costa expressed eagerness for the discussions on economic relations, security, and sustainable development, emphasizing the importance of the strategic partnership between the EU and South Africa amid current geopolitical challenges.
Objectives of the summit include enhancing cooperation on economy, trade, security, and mutual investment relations. With trade of €49 billion in goods in 2023, South Africa stands as the EU’s largest trading partner in sub-Saharan Africa. Furthermore, the EU constituted over half of South Africa’s foreign direct investment in 2022.
The Southern African economic partnership agreement (SADC EPA) signed in June 2016 between the EU and South Africa, alongside several other countries, facilitates trade by eliminating customs duties on 98.7% of imports from South Africa, promoting an enriched bilateral and regional trading environment.
The upcoming EU-South Africa summit aims to bolster partnerships, focusing on critical issues such as the conflict in Ukraine. It emphasizes the need for enhanced cooperation in various sectors, reflecting strong economic ties, especially through agreements like the SADC EPA. The summit symbolizes a commitment to strategic partnerships amid ongoing geopolitical challenges.
Original Source: www.rfi.fr
