President Jacob Zuma on Friday will co-chair the second South Africa-European Union (EU) Summit in Cape Town, with Swedish Prime Minister Fredrik Reinfeldt.

The joint discussion to be held in Kleinmond aims to deepen South African-EU relations and to address issues of mutual interest and concern, the Department of International Relations and Cooperation said on Thursday.

These include: education, rural development, job creation, and combating crime, which are the key national priorities set out by Zuma.

"Positive progress... has been made since the partnership was launched in May 2007.

"The Summit will make an assessment of the progress on the implementation of the SA-EU strategic partnership," said the Department in a statement.

It said the key outcome of the talks will be the signing of the amending agreement to the SA-EU Trade, Development and Cooperation Agreement.

Other issues on the agenda include preparations for the 2010 FIFA Soccer World Cup, the ongoing negotiations on the Southern African Development Community-EU Economic Partnership Agreements, the global financial crisis, climate change, and peace and security in Africa and the Middle East.

Zuma will be supported by the Minister of International Relations and Cooperation Maite Nkoana-Mashabane, Water and Environmental Affairs Minister Buyelwa Sonjica, Trade and Industry Minister Rob Davies and Finance Minister Pravin Gordhan.

The EU delegation, led by Reinfeldt, include European Commission President Josa Manuel Barroso, Dr Javier Solan, a high representative for Common Foreign and Security Policy and other senior EU officials.

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