We, the European Union and South Africa, discussed cooperation in multilateral and regional fora, focusing in particular on our joint efforts to promote human rights and sustainable development to address climate change.

The European Union emphasised its alignment with and support for South Africa G20's presidency priorities.  

In view of the Summit, the European Union and South Africa also looked at the economic, trade and investment agenda, including outstanding issues on both sides. Underlining the importance of a just energy transition, the European Union and South Africa then reviewed opportunities to step up cooperation on sustainable value chains – including critical raw materials – with view to further their respective competitiveness, economic security and key government efforts.  

The parties agreed that critical minerals have emerged as a pivotal topic on the global stage, reflecting a critical role in driving industrialisation, technological innovation and an inclusive economic growth. South Africa underscored the need for the transition to a low-carbon economy to be just, enhance energy security and create jobs.  

The two sides acknowledged the role of regulatory cooperation, investment facilitation, as well as of businesses in driving these initiatives. The European Union and South Africa further welcomed their robust collaboration in the areas of education, research and innovation.  

Both sides discussed opportunities to further enhance cooperation on open science and nuclear medical applications, to ensure progress on South Africa joining the green hydrogen mission of Mission Innovation; to broaden the participation of South Africa in the EU framework programme for research and innovation, Horizon Europe; and in the Marie Curie actions as well as to promote mobility and cooperation through Erasmus+.  

We, the European Union and South Africa, agreed that international trade is an important engine for inclusive economic growth, combating poverty and hunger and promoting sustainable development and the Sustainable Development Goals.  

The European Union and South Africa also stressed that more trade and investment will act as a driver of global growth.

Q&A

Q.  [inaudible]

First, we are in close contact with our United States counterparts, what they are saying, what they are trying to find out, if the Russians want peace. So far, they have not wanted peace. They just want to achieve everything that they have said before. I mean, they have invaded the country, taken the land, and want something on top of it. So, it is clear that for any kind of peace to work, it has to have Ukraine and Europe on board. Otherwise, it would just not function, because the implementation is in Europe and is in Ukraine. Nothing about Ukraine without Ukraine, and nothing about Europe can be agreed without Europe’s participation.  

When it comes to Palestine, the European Union supports the Two-State Solution. We are the ones supporting the most the Palestinian Authority and also UNRWA to help the Palestinian refugees, and we have done other steps to support the advancement of the Two-states. In this regard, we are also in very close contact with our regional partners. And of course, we are happy that there is a ceasefire, but we need a more sustainable peace as well, that takes into account both the security of both sides, but also dignity of both sides.  

When it comes to the United States, on disengagement or engagement, I think what we see now is that the European Union is the reliable, predictable and understandable partner. I think we need to play that role with our global partners like South Africa, but also at the multilateral fora. Our partners are looking at us, and we are definitely supporting the multilateral international order. We discussed today also how to reform the international order so that it would be more inclusive, taking into account the loopholes that it currently has. We are in this together. I really see an opportunity for the European Union here to be with our partners and to put the European flag up. Because, as I said, we are the reliable, predictable partner.