Prime Minister Fredrik Reinfeldt to chair EU-South Africa Summit

On Thursday, 10 September, Prime Minister Fredrik Reinfeldt will travel to South Africa to chair two summits with South Africa. On 10 September, Mr Reinfeldt will hold bilateral talks with South African President Jacob Zuma. The following day, 11 September, Fredrik Reinfeldt, as representative of the Presidency of the European Union, will chair the EU summit with South Africa.

Besides the Presidency holder Sweden, the EU will also be represented by the Union's High Representative for the Common Foreign and Security Policy, Javier Solana. South Africa will be represented by President Jacob Zuma. On the Swedish side, Minister for International Development Cooperation Gunilla Carlsson and Minister for Trade Ewa Björling will also participate.

The discussions with the EU will focus on issues including climate change ahead of the UN conference in Copenhagen in December, the global economic crisis, and cooperation between the EU and South Africa on trade, regional development and crisis management.

The purpose of the bilateral talks between Prime Minister Fredrik Reinfeldt and President Zuma will be to further strengthen and deepen Sweden's relationship with South Africa. The key topics of discussion will be cooperation on climate change and the environment, as well as South Africa's regional role for the promotion of democracy, peace, security and respect for human rights on the African continent.

Programme points:
Thursday, 10 September – Johannesburg

a.m. Prime Minister Fredrik Reinfeldt speaks at the seminar “SymbioCity” – sustainability by Sweden“, organised by the Swedish Trade Council and the Swedish Embassy.

Address at University of Witswaterstrand

Thursday, 10 September – Cape Town

16.00 Talks between Prime Minister Fredrik Reinfeldt and President Jacob Zuma.

Friday, 11 September – Cape Town

a.m. EU-South Africa Summit opens.