EU and South Africa Strengthen Ties Amidst Global Instability

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and Council President António Costa met with South African President Cyril Ramaphosa in Cape Town to discuss closer cooperation on trade, energy, and security. This eighth EU-South Africa summit since 2007 aimed to reinforce their strategic partnership amidst rising global populism and geopolitical instability. Discussions focused on establishing a trade and investment partnership for "green" technologies, including hydrogen, and enhanced cooperation on raw materials and vaccines. The meeting addressed tariffs imposed by the U.S. and concerns over land laws in South Africa. Furthermore, EU leaders intended to discuss the situation in Ukraine, the Middle East, and tensions in the Democratic Republic of Congo with Ramaphosa. South Africa's G20 presidency and the upcoming summit in Johannesburg were also on the agenda, as was a prospective EU-African Union summit.