Minister Pandor to co-chair SA – EU Ministerial Political Dialogue with EU High Representative, Mr Borrell
The Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Dr Naledi Pandor, will on 26 and 27 January 2023, co-chair the 15th South Africa–European Union (SA–EU) Ministerial Political Dialogue (MPD) with the EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, HE Mr Josep Borrell.
The MPD will be attended by the EU Commissioner for International Partnerships, Ms Jutta Urpilainen; the European Union Commissioner for Health and Food Safety, Ms Stella Kyriakides; and the European Commissioner for Financial Services, Financial Stability and Capital Markets Union, Ms Mairead McGuiness.
A number of South African Cabinet Ministers will also participate in the engagements, including the Minister of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development, Ms Thoko Didiza; the Minister of Higher Education, Science and Innovation, Dr Blade Nzimande; the Minister of Finance, Mr Enoch Godongwana; the Minister of Trade, Industry and Competition, Mr Ebrahim Patel and the Deputy Minister of Health, Dr Sibongiseni Dhlomo. The high-level participation indicates the importance of the Strategic Partnership for both sides.
It is expected that both sides will discuss how to further strengthen the Strategic Partnership, including in key areas such as trade and investment, energy, health, education, training, and skills development as well as science, technology and innovation - to name but a few.
South Africa is one of ten countries in the world that has a Strategic Partnership with the European Union (EU). The SA–EU Strategic Partnership Joint Action Plan, which was signed in Brussels in May 2007, provides for regular engagements at different levels, including the Joint Cooperation Council (JCC) at Senior Officials’ level, the MPD at Ministerial level and the Summit at Presidential level.
Members of the media are invited as follows:
Date: Friday, 27 January 2023
Time: 09h00
Venue: OR Tambo Building Conference Centre
Order of Proceedings
10h00: Welcome remarks by Minister Pandor
Remarks by High Representative/Vice President of the European Union Commission Borrell
Media takes leave
12h00: Media Briefing
RSVP: Kgopotso Rapakuana
Cell: 073 058 3876
E-mail: rapakuanak@dirco.gov.za
