EU and South Africa pledge to strengthen bilateral relations

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, European Council President Antonio Costa and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen attend the 8th EU-South Africa summit, March 13, 2025. (Photo: Reuters/VNA)

Speaking at the summit while co-chairing it with European Council President Antonio Costa and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa said: “The EU-South Africa summit comes at a time of global uncertainty... characterised by rising unilateralism, economic nationalism”.

"If there was ever a time when it was absolutely necessary for partners who share the same values to work together, this is the time, especially when multilateralism is under attack, especially when the process of world order is also being weakened," the South African president affirmed.

Mr Ramaphosa said the turmoil on the international stage would only serve to strengthen the relationship between South Africa and the EU.

European Commission chief Ursula von der Leyen also plans to mobilize a 4.7 billion euro (about $5 billion) investment package in South Africa, including funding the transition to clean energy from wind and solar and through hydrogen production and boosting vaccine production in South Africa.

"We support an international order based on rules and the rule of law rather than the rule of force," Ms. von der Leyen stressed. She also said the EU supported South Africa's presidency of the Group of 20 (G20) this year.

The conference will also focus on efforts to end the crisis in Ukraine, with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky expected to visit South Africa next month.

South Africa is the EU’s largest trading partner in sub-Saharan Africa, exporting goods worth around €24 billion by 2023, mainly minerals and cars. However, the trade deficit still tends to be in the EU’s favour.

Source: https://nhandan.vn/eu-va-nam-phi-cam-ket-that-chat-quan-he-song-phuong-post865099.html