eighth meeting of the South Africa-European Union (SA-EU) Ministerial
Troika
14 January 2009
Pretoria: Minister of Foreign Affairs, Dr Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma will on
Friday, 16 January 2009, host the eighth South AfricaâEuropean Union
Ministerial Troika meeting in Kleinmond, Western Cape.
Minister Dlamini Zuma's delegation is expected to include Ministers
Marthinus van Schalkwyk, Mandisi Mpahlwa and Deputy Finance Minister Nhlanhla
Nene. The European Union delegation will include the Foreign Minister of the
Czech Republic Karel Schwarzenberg, and Louis Michel, EU Commissioner for
Development and Humanitarian Aid.
Minister Dlamini Zuma will co-chair this eighth Ministerial meeting between
South Africa and the European Union with a view to further strengthening South
Africa's strategic co-operation with the EU, as well as to address African and
global issues and concerns.
The eighth Ministerial Troika meeting is expected to consider:
* the European Union-Southern African Development Community) EU-SADC
Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) negotiations
* the Joint Africa-EU Strategy
* the second South AfricaâEuropean Union Summit later in the year
* the global financial crisis and its impact on the developing world
* environment and climate change
* food security
* energy.
Furthermore, the Ministerial Troika will also discuss a range of African and
global peace and security issues, including the Democratic Republic of Congo
and Great Lakes situation; Chad and Sudan, Somalia, the Middle East Peace
Process, and Zimbabwe.
The eighth Ministerial Troika between the European Union and South Africa
will conclude later on Friday, 16 January 2009, ahead of Minister Dlamini
Zuma's discussions with her Chinese counterpart.
SA-EU economic relations
The EU is the world's largest trading bloc and generates 30% of global gross
domestic product (GDP) and 20% of global trade flows. It is also the world's
biggest aid donor to poor and developing countries, contributing approximately
half of global aid.
In 2007 South Africa's exports to the EU-27 totalled R152,6 billion. The EU
also ranked as South Africa's number one export region for 2007. Europe remains
the principal source of Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) in South Africa,
accounting for around 80% of total FDI in 2005.
The EU is South Africa's largest development partner, representing
approximately 70% of all Overseas Development Assistance, with South Africa
earmarked to receive â¬980 million during the period 2007 to 2013.
Media programme for South AfricaâEuropean Union Ministerial Troika
meeting
Friday, 16 January 2009
08h00: Arrival of media for photo opportunity on commencement of bilateral
discussions between Minister Dlamini Zuma and European Union Commissioner Louis
Michel
Venue: Arabella Sheraton, Kleinmond, Western Cape
(Please RSVP to masangod@foreign.gov.za or pillaim@foreign.gov.za)
(Please present press cards)
Contact:
Manusha Pillai
Cell: 082 389 3587
David Masango
Cell: 084 502 2830
08h30: Bilateral discussions between Minister Dlamini Zuma and Commissioner
Louis Michel
Photo opportunity
08h45: Media to arrive ahead of South Africa â European Union Ministerial
Troika meeting
Venue: Arabella Sheraton, Kleinmond, Western Cape
(Please RSVP to masangod@foreign.gov.za or pillaim@foreign.gov.za)
(Please present press cards)
Contact:
Manusha Pillai
Cell: 082 389 3587
David Masango
Cell: 084 502 2830
09h30: Commencement of South AfricaâEuropean Union Ministerial Troika
meeting
Media in attendance for opening remarks and photo opportunity
11h30: Media to arrive ahead of press conference on conclusion of South
AfricaâEuropean Union Ministerial Troika meeting
Venue: Arabella Sheraton, Kleinmond, Western Cape
(Please RSVP to masangod@foreign.gov.za or pillaim@foreign.gov.za)
(Please present press cards)
Contact:
Manusha Pillai
Cell: 082 389 3587
David Masango
Cell: 084 502 2830
12h15: Press conference on conclusion of South AfricaâEuropean Union
meeting
12h45: Luncheon
Enquiries:
Ronnie Mamoepa
Cell: 082 990 4853
Issued by: Department of Foreign Affairs
14 January 2009
