At the recently concluded South Africa-European Union (SA-EU) Summit, held in Cape Town against the backdrop of a changing global landscape, European Council President António Costa emphasised the importance of the strategic partnership between South Africa and European Union.
Addressing the opening of the 8th SA-EU Summit, Costa said the EU and South Africa are not only partners but are strategic allies, bound by the shared values of democracy, human rights, the rule of law and multilateralism.
“The world has changed profoundly in these past seven years. Pandemics, conflicts here in Africa, in the Middle East, and in Europe: multilateral commitments are being tested, and the rules-based international order faces growing challenges.
“Protectionism, economic coercion, and other threats undermine stability, while new technologies disrupt the political system and global power dynamics. In this world of uncertainty, our partnership matters more than ever,” Costa said.
He said the summit should serve to deepen SA-EU cooperation, reinforce shared commitments, and chart a course for a stronger partnership, one that benefits the partnering nations and contributes to global stability and prosperity – “for our citizens, for our nations, and for our shared future,” Costa said.
Costa said the European Union does not see the future through the lens of division between blocks, between the North and South. “Instead, we see an interconnected world, where our fates are linked, and where joint action is a necessity. Our partnership delivers real benefits to our citizens, our economies, and the world.
“We are united in our commitment to peace, security, and sustainable development. We stand together to help uphold the United Nations Charter, advance the sustainable development goals, and drive towards global action on climate change, poverty reduction, and economic reform.
“We appreciate South Africa’s leadership, both regionally and globally. You can count on the European Union’s full support as you take on the G20 Presidency and as we prepare together for the next European Union-African Union summit, later this year,” Costa said.
This year marks the 25th anniversary of EU-African Union cooperation and, noting this milestone, Costa said it underscores the strength of engagement and the potential ahead.
“Despite many complex challenges, this is a time of opportunity. An opportunity to build, to strengthen, and to expand our bilateral and multilateral cooperation. To shape a world that is fairer, more sustainable, and more secure,” he said.
South African President Cyril Ramaphosa co-chaired the summit with Costa, and the President of the European Commission, Dr Ursula von der Leyen, at Tuynhuys, in Cape Town.
With the conclusion of the meeting, the EU committed €4.7 billion to support strategic investment projects in South Africa.
As part of the Eu’s Global Gateway Investment Package this is aimed at supporting:
- a clean and just energy transition in South Africa, including aspects such as the processing of critical minerals, green hydrogen and renewable energy
- connectivity, physically and digitally with investments in transport and digital infrastructure
- healthcare, with investments in local vaccine and pharmaceutical production
- and resources for skills development.
Welcoming this significant investment, President Ramaphosa added: “To boost the competitiveness of our economies, we agreed to launch negotiations towards a Clean Trade and Investment Partnership. This will support the development of cleaner value chains for raw materials and local beneficiation, renewable and low carbon energy, and clean technology,” President Ramaphosa said.
Furthermore, the partnership will serve as a platform for “regulatory cooperation between the European Union and South Africa in areas of mutual interest related to clean supply chains”.
“This partnership is expected, for example, to deliver short- and long-term solutions to enable Sasol to export sustainable fuel, especially aviation fuel, to the European Union,” the President said.
Strengthening ties
As a regional bloc, the European Union is South Africa’s biggest trading partner, recording some €49.5 billion in total trade in 2023 and foreign direct investment from the EU into South Africa reaching around €71 billion in 2022.
In the global context, Ramaphosa said, “we have reaffirmed our commitment to multilateralism, the rule of law and the central role of the United Nations in maintaining global peace and security.
In conclusion, Ramaphosa said, “On behalf of the government and the people of South Africa, it has been a pleasure to host you, reaffirming our commitment to building strong, mutually beneficial relations with the European Union.
“We hope we can continue to rely on the support of the European Union and its member states in our efforts to alleviate poverty, transition to a low-carbon economy, invest in climate-resilient infrastructure and grow our industrial capacity,” the president said.
For more information visit: www.sanews.gov.za
