Media Statement

15 June 2021

Minister Pandor to lead a South African delegation to a SADC-EU Ministerial Political Dialogue on 16 June 2021

The Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Dr Naledi Pandor, will participate in the virtual Southern African Development Community (SADC)-European Union (EU) Ministerial Political Dialogue on 16 June 2021.

The SADC-EU Political Dialogue was launched at the SADC-EU Ministerial Conference held in Berlin, Germany, on 5-6 September 1994. Relations between the EU and SADC focus on issues of mutual interest and are expressed through a variety of programmes in support of regional integration, development cooperation, trade, democracy and sustainable economic growth in the Southern African region. The SADC integration objectives and strategies are articulated in the Regional Indicative Strategic Development Plan (RISDP) 2020-2030 approved by the SADC Summit of Heads of State and Government in August 2020.

The SADC-EU Ministerial Political Dialogue will deliberate on issues that promote cooperation between the two regional bodies. In this regard, the agenda will include discussions on COVID-19: Impact and Recovery strategies, peace and security, policy priorities for regional cooperation and Trade and Investment matters of mutual interest. The Dialogue is implemented through the hosting of Senior Officials’ Political Dialogue annually and the Ministerial Political Dialogue once every two years, alternating between the EU and SADC regions. The last Ministerial meeting was held on 28 March 2018 at the margins of the SADC Council of Ministers’ meeting held in Pretoria.

The SADC-EU Ministerial Political Dialogue will be preceded by the meeting of the SADC-EU Senior Officials Political Dialogue, today, 15 June 2021.

Enquiries: Mr Clayson Monyela, Spokesperson for DIRCO, 082 884 5974

ISSUED BY THE DEPARTMENT OF INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS AND COOPERATION

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