European Council President Herman Van Rompuy, European Commission President José Manuel Barroso and the development and trade commissioners will represent the EU at the fourth EU-South Africa Summit. South Africa will be represented by President Jacob Zuma.
In addition to discussions on bilateral cooperation, the meeting will be an opportunity to prepare for the important international meetings on the agenda for the coming months.
‘As an important voice in the continent and in the world, South Africa is a key partner for the European Union, and we want to deepen our engagement,’ said President Barroso. ‘I look forward in particular to discussing with President Zuma the upcoming G20 Summit in Cannes and the preparations for the Durban Climate Conference, where the EU is committed to achieving a positive outcome for Europe, Africa and the world.’
Discussions will also address events in Sudan and South Sudan, Zimbabwe, North Africa and the Middle East, as well as progress towards an economic partnership agreement between the EU and the South African Development Community.
Talks on development are likely to address both ongoing EU-funded projects in South Africa and the country’s intention to become an active donor itself.
The EU has channelled an average of €125 million per year into development projects in South Africa over the last 16 years. For the period 2007 to 2013, an indicative €980 million has been allocated to cooperation – the largest EU bilateral funding envelope worldwide. The main goal is reducing poverty and inequality.
Development Commissioner Andris Piebalgs – also attending the summit – will visit a number of EU-funded initiatives while in the country. At Mahlasedi Masana primary school he will see the ‘Youth development through football’ (YDF) programme in action. Funded by the European Commission (€10 million) and the German Government (€7.5 million), the programme promotes the inclusion of young people in South Africa’s social and economic development, improving their life skills and preparing them for the job market. Some 50 000 children and young adults will benefit from the programme, at least 40% of whom will be girls.
On 12 September, Commissioner Piebalgs also launched a new €126 million healthcare programme to fight HIV and tuberculosis in South Africa. The funding will be used to improve access to healthcare services and to improve the quality and management of the health system at district level.
Further information
- European Commission: ‘Press release on the South Africa – EU Summit‘
- European Council: ‘Press release on the EU- South Africa Summit’
- European Union: ‘EU partnership with South Africa‘
- European Council: ‘Remarks by Herman VAN ROMPUY President of the European Council following the EU-South Africa Summit’
- Council of the European Union: ‘Fourth South Africa-European Union Summit Joint Communiqué South Africa, 15 September 2011′
- European Union: ‘Statement by José Manuel Durão Barroso President of the European Commission following the EU – South Africa Summit‘
- European Union: ‘Press release on Commissioner Piebalgs’s visit to South Africa: examples of EU development cooperation’
- Eurostat: ‘EU27 surplus in trade of goods with South Africa continued to grow in the first half of 2011′
- European Commission: ‘EU Trade chief De Gucht visits Namibia and South Africa to boost trade and development deal’
- European Union: ‘Launch of the €126 million new health care programme to fight HIV and tuberculosis‘
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