President Cyril Ramaphosa and the President of the European Council, Charles Michel, had held a “positive and constructive” telephone discussion on bilateral, regional and global issues the presidency said on Tuesday.
The Presidency said in a statement that the leaders also discussed the need for more engagement on global peace and reaffirmed their shared respect for international law.
“They both welcomed the recent bilateral South Africa-European Union Political and Security Dialogue Forum, and the Human Rights Dialogue held in Pretoria on 26 and 27 February 2024, and they agreed to continue stepping up co-operation to support stability and prosperity,” the Presidency said.
“Both presidents discussed the importance of upholding the UN Charter and the principles of sovereignty and territorial integrity, notably in Ukraine. Furthermore, both Presidents stressed the importance of addressing urgently the situation in the Middle East, notably reaching a ceasefire in Gaza, release of hostages as well as the provision of humanitarian assistance, recalling the orders of the International Court of Justice in this respect.”
On matters relating to tensions in the east of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, both underlined the importance of a political solution and they also called for an “immediate and durable ceasefire” in Sudan.
The leaders agreed to closer working relations in the run-up to and during South Africa’s upcoming Presidency of the G20 in 2025 and discussed the strategic partnership between South Africa and the EU.
“They welcomed recent engagements in Brussels and Pretoria to deepen and expand the partnership to new areas of mutual interest, such as strategic value chains in the sectors of green hydrogen, critical minerals and vaccines, which will also support progress in regional integration and the implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Agreement,” the Presidency said.
“Against this framework of close and regular co-operation, both presidents agreed to hold a bilateral Summit at the earliest convenience.” – SAnews.gov.za
