Ministerial Troika EU–South Africa – First Troika of the Czech Presidency

On 16 January 2009 President of the General Affairs and External Relations Council Karel Schwarzenberg will take part in the ministerial Troika meeting EU – South Africa at Kleinmond near Cape Town.

It is the first ministerial Troika during the Czech EU Presidency. This form of political dialogue is part of the strategic partnership between the EU and South Africa which started in November 2006. A ministerial Troika EU – South Africa is normally held during each Presidency.

The plenary meeting of the Troika will be attended by the South African Minister of Foreign Affairs, Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma, and EU Commissioner for Development and Humanitarian Aid, Louis Michel.

The main points on the agenda are the joint EU-Africa Strategy, energy cooperation between the EU and South Africa, the global financial crisis, food safety, environment/climate change, negotiations about an Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) between the EU and the Southern African Development Community (SADC) and the security situation on the African continent.

The ministerial Troika will also discuss organising the first meeting between the EU Political and Security Committee (PSC) and the Republic of South Africa and the first meeting of the EU-South Africa Energy Dialogue Forum during the Czech Presidency.

Date: 16 January 2009
Location: Kleinmond – Republic of South Africa
Category: EU Troika Ministerial Meeting with the Republic of South Africa
Topic: External affairs

Information for journalists:
Accreditation via e-mail: [email protected] or [email protected].
Please bring your press pass.