International Relations and Cooperation Minister Maite Nkoana-Mashabane has today, Tuesday, 01 April 2014, arrived in Brussels, the Kingdom of Belgium, where she is leading the South African delegation to the 4th Africa-European Union (EU) Summit, scheduled for 02-03 April 2014 under the theme: “Investing in People, Prosperity and Peace.”

The delegation includes Dr Rob Davies, Minister of Trade and Industry.

The Summit will afford Africa and Europe the opportunity to further strengthen political and socio-economic cooperation between the two continents.

The following thematic areas will be discussed during the Summit deliberations: peace and security; trade and investment; human  development; and the future institutional and financial arrangements of the Africa-EU Partnership.

The Summit will also afford the leaders from the two continent the opportunity to undertake a stock-taking of concrete deliverables that have been achieved over the past three years as guided by the Africa-EU Action Plan 2010-2013 that was adopted at the 3rd Africa-EU Summit in Tripoli, Libya, in November 2010. Furthermore, it is expected that the Summit will address issues concerning the financing of priority projects aimed at meeting the developmental challenges of Africa.

As was the case with the Africa-EU Summits in 2007 and 2010, South Africa is playing a meaningful role in the negotiations at the Senior Officials Meeting today, 31 March 2014, also will also be active in the Ministerial Meeting on 01 April 2014 and the Summit on 02-03 April 2014.

It is envisaged that three Declarations will be adopted at the Summit, namely: the Brussels Declaration of the Heads of State and Government, which is the main outcome document for the 4th Africa-EU Summit; the Africa-EU Roadmap; and the Declaration on Migration and Mobility.

Minister Nkoana-Mashabane is expected to hold bilateral consultations with her counterparts from Africa and Europe on the sidelines of the Summit.

For further information, please contact Mr Clayson Monyela, spokesperson for DIRCO, at 082 884 5974