President Cyril Ramaphosa has praised Charles Michel, the president of the EU Council, for his commitment to the EU’s support of Africa’s efforts to achieve food security.
The commitment will assist in reducing the continent’s reliance on agricultural inputs imported from other parts of the world.
In this regard, a cooperative project plan was approved to help Africa build its own capacity for producing fertiliser.
The promise comes after a favourable response to President Ramaphosa’s request that Africa be allowed to invest in growing its fertilisers to address food hunger during the recent G7 conference held in Germany, the Presidency stated in a statement.
Tuesday was President Michel’s visit to President Ramaphosa’s official Mahlambandlopfu house.
The main goals of the bilateral meeting were to strengthen the strategic alliance between South Africa and the EU and to talk about important trade, peace, and security concerns.
a two-way trade
The Trade, Development and Cooperation Agreement (TDCA), which was ratified in 2004, serves as the framework for the strategic partnership between South Africa and the EU.
According to the Presidency, the EU as a whole is South Africa’s biggest trading partner.
“Total trade expanded from R150 billion in 2000 to R843 billion in 2021 since the Trade, Development, and Cooperation Agreement (TDCA) was adopted.
Exports to the EU increased over time, from R64 billion in 2000 to R482 billion in 2021, expanding gradually.
The Presidency stated that “over the same period, imports from the EU also climbed from R86 billion in 2000 to R361 billion in 2021.”
The President has also praised the discussion of enhancing and expanding present bilateral commercial relations as well as the promise to address pressing trade issues, notably those involving the export of citrus fruits from South Africa to the EU.
The Presidency stated that President Ramaphosa “supported the process of further ministerial level conversations to be held to figure out a solution that will allow for sustainable trade in the citrus sub-sector.”
Continuity and Safety
When it comes to peace and security, the Presidency stated that President Ramaphosa was inspired by the EU’s declaration of support for the Southern African Development Community’s (SADC) efforts to stabilise the security situation in Mozambique.
In order to maintain long-term peace and security in the area and the rest of Africa, South Africa, the EU, and the SADC have a shared responsibility.
The President also praised the continued growth of the EU-Africa collaboration after the AU-EU Summit that took place in Brussels in February 2022.
According to the Presidency, “the tight relations have permitted more open and realistic exchanges on numerous trade, political, peace, and security issues.”