European Union leaders announced a 4.7 billion euro ($5.10 billion) investment package during a visit to South Africa on Thursday, at a time when both are on worse terms with the United States than they have been for decades.
The European leaders said the visit was an opportunity to strengthen close ties with Africa's most advanced economy, coinciding with the latter's presidency of the Group of 20 nations, which U.S. officials have so far largely snubbed.
U.S. President Donald Trump has stunned European leaders with his pivot towards Russia in the Ukraine war, upending U.S. policy since Moscow's full-scale invasion in 2022. His staunchly pro-Israel stance has brought him into conflict with South Africa over its genocide case against Israel at the World Court.
The U.S. administration has also interposed itself in Europe and South Africa's domestic politics, criticising Europe for attempting to isolate the far right and ignoring voters' concerns about immigrants, while cutting aid to South Africa over its efforts to address historic racial land injustice.
The EU trip was an opportunity to ameliorate ties, which soured when South Africa refused to outright condemn Russia's Vladimir Putin for invading Ukraine.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said South Africa had a vital role on the world stage as a leading voice of the Global South.
"In a moment of increased confrontation and competition, we must strengthen our partnership further," she said.
She said at talks with President Cyril Ramaphosa in Cape Town that Europe wanted to help the South African economy grow.
"Europe understands your potential," she said, sitting alongside European Council President Antonio Costa. She cited clean hydrogen, where South Africa could make use of abundant raw materials and vast renewable energy potential.
Ramaphosa said South Africa wanted Europe's support to transition to a low carbon economy and grow industry, and that it valued European support for multilateralism at a time of rising nationalism.
"African relations with the European Union should be built on a mutually beneficial partnership," he said.
The eighth summit between the leaders of the EU and South Africa will take place in Cape Town, South Africa, on 13th March.
President Donald Trump told NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte on Thursday that U.S. control of Greenland is necessary for international security, escalating his campaign to annex the Arctic island.
Azerbaijan and Armenia have finalized a historic peace agreement, marking a major step toward ending decades of conflict, with both sides agreeing on all remaining articles.
The U.S. is set to resume shipments of Ground-Launched Small Diameter Bombs (GLSDB) to Ukraine after upgrading them to counter Russian jamming, sources told Reuters.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's Chief of Staff, Andriy Yermak, has stated that Ukraine will never accept a "frozen conflict," reaffirming the country's commitment to restoring its territorial integrity and sovereignty.
Italy’s League party urges the government to favour Starlink over French-led Eutelsat for satellite communication systems, citing Starlink's technological edge. The push comes amid delays in the EU’s IRIS² program, as Italy seeks secure communication solutions for officials.
XPeng Motors plans to mass-produce flying cars by 2026, becoming the first company globally to do so. CEO He Xiaopeng also highlighted advancements in autonomous driving and humanoid robotics as part of the company’s future tech initiatives.
World leaders welcomed the 30-day ceasefire proposal that Ukraine has agreed to, calling it a step toward ending the conflict with Russia.
The Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) is set to condemn Trump’s Gaza “Riviera” plan, backing Egypt’s $53 billion reconstruction proposal. A classified draft resolution, rejects the relocation of Gazans, calls for urgent international support, and mobilises opposition to the U.S. stance.
In Tuesday’s closely watched parliamentary election, Greenland’s pro-business opposition Demokraatit party took a commanding lead after over 90% of the ballots were counted.
President Donald Trump told NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte on Thursday that U.S. control of Greenland is necessary for international security, escalating his campaign to annex the Arctic island.
The U.S. is set to resume shipments of Ground-Launched Small Diameter Bombs (GLSDB) to Ukraine after upgrading them to counter Russian jamming, sources told Reuters.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's Chief of Staff, Andriy Yermak, has stated that Ukraine will never accept a "frozen conflict," reaffirming the country's commitment to restoring its territorial integrity and sovereignty.
U.S. President Donald Trump said on Thursday that his special envoy, Steve Witkoff, is engaged in serious discussions with Russia to negotiate an end to the war in Ukraine.
Canada has initiated a formal dispute complaint against the United States at the World Trade Organization (WTO) over its imposition of import duties on certain steel and aluminium products from Canada.
President Donald Trump told NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte on Thursday that U.S. control of Greenland is necessary for international security, escalating his campaign to annex the Arctic island.
Azerbaijan and Armenia have finalized a historic peace agreement, marking a major step toward ending decades of conflict, with both sides agreeing on all remaining articles.
The U.S. is set to resume shipments of Ground-Launched Small Diameter Bombs (GLSDB) to Ukraine after upgrading them to counter Russian jamming, sources told Reuters.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's Chief of Staff, Andriy Yermak, has stated that Ukraine will never accept a "frozen conflict," reaffirming the country's commitment to restoring its territorial integrity and sovereignty.
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