Visit of High Representative Catherine Ashton to South Africa

Catherine Ashton, High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and Vice-President of the European Commission, traveled to South Africa, where she met with Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma, Minister of Home Affairs of South Africa and Chairperson of the African Union Commission (AUC). The Vice-President participated in the 11th EU-South Africa Ministerial Political Dialogue with Maite Nkoana-Mashabane, Minister of International Relations and Cooperation of South Africa, and in a joint press conference they emphasized the importance of cooperation between the EU and South Africa. They highlighted the support for the World Food Programme (WFP), the Southern African Development Community (SADC), the fight against piracy, and conflict resolution. As the two sides prepare for their 5th Annual Summit on 18/09/2012 in Brussels, this visit by Catherine Ashton underscored the EU’s commitment to strengthen its Strategic Partnership with a key partner in Africa and on the global stage