Ramaphosa welcomes new deal with EU

By Simon Nare

President Cyril Ramaphosa has hailed the South African and European Council summit as a step toward cementing relations between the two blocs.

In his weekly newsletter on Monday, Ramaphosa said the two had agreed to work towards a Clean Trade Investment Partnership.

The president said this would make South Africa and Europe more competitive in a low-carbon global economy by improving conditions for investment in the extraction and local beneficiation of rare minerals, renewable energy, low carbon hydrogen and clean technology.

“As a bloc, the European Union is one of South Africa’s largest trading partners and the source of much investment in our country. Our economic ties with European countries go back to colonial times. Since the advent of democracy 30 years ago, we have steadily been growing the volume and value of trade,” the president wrote.

Ramaphosa said the partnership would improve cooperation between South Africa