By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
South Africa and the European Union (EU) have reaffirmed their commitment to deepening their strategic partnership during the 16th Session of the Ministerial Political Dialogue on Wednesday in Cape Town.
International Relations and Cooperation Minister Ronald Lamola, along with the European Union High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and Vice President of the European Commission, Kaja Kallas, co-chaired the dialogue in the context of the EU-South Africa Strategic Partnership.
The meeting was also attended by Minister of Trade, Industry and Competition, Parks Tau, Minister of Agriculture John Steenhuizen, Minister of Basic Education Siviwe Gawarube and Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation Blade Nzimande.
The High Representative’s three-day visit to Africa at the beginning of her mandate signals the EU’s commitment to the partnership with South Africa and with the continent.
The Ministerial Political Dialogue is a key milestone ahead of the 8th European Union-South Africa Summit, which is scheduled for 13 March 2025.
The political engagements between the European Union and South Africa contribute to the celebration of the 25th anniversary of the European Union’s partnership with Africa.
In this context, both sides underscored the importance of holding the European Union- African Union Ministerial Meeting and Summit in 2025.
Kallas told the meeting that it was in both the EU and SA’s interests to work together.
“Given the turbulent times that we have in the geopolitical context right now, we need to join forces as trusted partners. The EU is and will remain a reliable, predictable and credible partner.”
“She was referring to the major global upheavals that the Trump administration has caused in its first month, including an executive order by President Donald Trump to cut off all aid to SA because of its Expropriation Act — which he interprets as a racial seizure of land — and Pretoria’s legal action against Israel because of its bombardment of Gaza.
Kallas, has also acknowledged that the EU will not be able to fill the vacuum if the US withdraws all aid from South Africa as it has threatened to do.
“In these turbulent times, it would serve us well to recall the historic foundation and shared values which underpin our partnership, said Lamola.
“The principles and values of democracy, respect for the rule of law and human rights, human dignity, equality, sovereignty and respect, which South Africa and the European Union value, must continue to guide and inform our engagements and decisions.”
Both sides discussed opportunities to further enhance cooperation on open science and nuclear medical applications, to ensure progress on South Africa joining the Clean Hydrogen Mission of Mission Innovation.
This is to broaden the participation of South Africa in the EU Framework Programme for Research and Innovation (R&I) Horizon Europe and in the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions as well as to promote mobility and cooperation through Erasmus+.
The European Union and South Africa further agreed that international trade is an important engine for inclusive economic growth, combating poverty and hunger and promoting sustainable development and the SDGs.