Telephone Call Between South African President Cyril Ramaphosa and European Council President Charles Michel: Strengthening Strategic Partnership

Today, His Excellency President Cyril Ramaphosa of South Africa and the President of the European Council, His Excellency Charles Michel, had a bilateral telephone conversation. The two leaders engaged in a positive and constructive discussion on a range of bilateral, regional, and global issues that they share as strategic partners.

Reaffirming the importance of South African and European engagement to address challenges to global peace and security, they emphasized the significance of respecting international law. Both welcomed the recent South Africa-European Union Political and Security Dialogue Forum and the Human Rights Dialogue held in Pretoria on February 26 and 27, 2024, agreeing to further step up cooperation to support stability and prosperity.

In this context, both Presidents discussed the importance of upholding the UN Charter and the principles of sovereignty and territorial integrity, particularly concerning Ukraine. Furthermore, they stressed the urgent need to address the situation in the Middle East, notably achieving a ceasefire in Gaza, releasing hostages, and providing humanitarian assistance, recalling the International Court of Justice's orders. They also highlighted the importance of a political solution to the tensions in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo through support for ongoing peace processes and reiterated their call for an immediate and durable ceasefire in Sudan. Additionally, they agreed to collaborate closely in the lead-up to and during South Africa’s upcoming G20 Presidency in 2025, focusing on protecting and advancing multilateral cooperation and the international rules-based order.

Presidents Cyril Ramaphosa and Charles Michel further discussed the strategic partnership between the European Union and South Africa, which has brought economic and social benefits to both sides since its inception. They welcomed recent engagements in Brussels and Pretoria aimed at deepening and expanding the partnership into new areas of mutual interest, such as strategic value chains in green hydrogen, critical minerals, and vaccines, supporting progress in regional integration and the implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Agreement.

In this framework of close and regular cooperation, both Presidents agreed to hold a bilateral Summit at the earliest convenience.

The dialogue between the President of South Africa and the President of the European Council reflects a significant strategic alliance aimed not only at ensuring global peace and security but also at promoting economic and social development through cooperation and constructive dialogue. Their joint commitment to respecting international law and promoting humanitarian values is crucial for addressing current and future challenges. Collaboration on critical issues such as the Middle East crisis and African conflicts is essential for ensuring an effective and coordinated response.

This partnership not only directly benefits South Africa and the European Union but also positively impacts global stability and prosperity. Deepening economic and trade relations, especially in emerging sectors like green hydrogen and vaccines, offers tangible opportunities for both parties and contributes to regional and continental progress.

The upcoming bilateral Summit will represent an important opportunity to further consolidate this partnership and define new areas of collaboration. It is essential to maintain the positive momentum and work together to address challenges and seize future opportunities.

Glossary UN : United Nations EU : European Union G20 : Group of Twenty UN Charter : United Nations Charter Gaza : Gaza Strip DRC : Democratic Republic of Congo ICJ : International Court of Justice Sudan : Republic of Sudan Brussels : Capital city of Belgium, also host to the European Union institutions Pretoria : Administrative capital of South Africa Green hydrogen : Hydrogen produced using renewable energy sources Critical minerals : Minerals essential for various industries, often with geopolitical significance Vaccines : Biological preparations that provide immunity to a particular disease Regional integration : Process of countries coming together to form a larger economic and political union ACFTA : African Continental Free Trade Agreement Summit : High-level meeting between leaders or representatives of nations or organizations