EU Leaders to Strengthen Relations with South Africa During Summit

EU leaders are set to strengthen ties with South Africa at the upcoming summit, addressing geopolitical challenges including the Ukraine conflict. The summit will feature discussions on economic relations, security, and investments, while underscoring South Africa’s significant role as a trading partner for the EU. President Cyril Ramaphosa is expected to mediate discussions aiming toward an inclusive peace process with Ukraine.

European Union leaders are set to enhance their relationship with South Africa during the eighth EU-South Africa summit on Thursday. They regard South Africa as a “strategic partner” and aim to address pressing geopolitical issues, particularly the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, which will be at the forefront of discussions.

Representing the EU at the summit in Cape Town will be the President of the European Council, Antonio Costa, and the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen. South Africa will be represented by President Cyril Ramaphosa, who is expected to mediate discussions on global security challenges.

The summit’s agenda includes significant geopolitical matters such as “Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine and the ongoing situation in the Middle East.” Furthermore, Ramaphosa is anticipated to invite Ukraine’s President, Volodymyr Zelensky, for a state visit to South Africa on April 10, aimed at fostering peace talks between Ukraine and Russia.

The leaders also see this summit as an opportunity to tackle critical global and regional issues, with an emphasis on multilateral cooperation. Costa expressed his optimism about discussions on economic relations, energy transition, security, and sustainable value chains, underscoring the importance of the EU-South Africa partnership amid current geopolitical challenges.

The summit aims to bolster bilateral cooperation in various domains such as trade, investment, and security. South Africa is the EU’s largest trading partner in sub-Saharan Africa, with a trade volume reaching €49 billion in goods in 2023. Conversely, the EU is South Africa’s primary source of foreign direct investment, accounting for 53.7 percent in 2022.

The upcoming EU-South Africa summit highlights the strategic partnership between the two entities, with a focus on addressing crucial geopolitical issues, particularly relating to the Ukraine conflict. Leaders are keen to strengthen economic ties and enhance collaboration on global stability through multilateral efforts. Given the significant trade relations and investments, the summit promises to further advance cooperation in critical areas such as security, defence, and sustainable development.

Original Source: www.rfi.fr