An agreement to enhance trade and economic relations with the European Union (EU) will be concluded by the end of the year, President Jacob Zuma said on Tuesday.

Zuma, who was speaking at an SA-EU Summit in Brussels, said that the trade agreement would support development throughout Southern Africa.

"I am very pleased that we share the objective to conclude, by the end of the year, a final agreement that will enhance trade and economic relations between the EU and the SADC-EPA countries, and which supports development and regional integration in southern Africa," Zuma said.

South Africa and the EU had also signed a primary education policy support programme, Zuma said.

This programme signified the single largest ever development cooperation programme between South Africa and the EU.

"We welcome the fact that the focus is on our apex priority, education," Zuma said.

South Africa had agreed to "cooperate" in facing challenges on all on issues of development and peace and security.

"We emphasised the importance of an effective multilateral system and multilateral institutions, especially in pursuit of co-operation on development, peace and security, human rights and democracy," Zuma said.