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Parliament’s Portfolio Committee on International Relations and Cooperation has concluded what it described as a robust and meaningful engagement with the European Parliament’s Committee on Foreign Affairs, with discussions centred on mutually beneficial development and global peace efforts.

Chairperson of the committee, Mr Supra Mahumapelo, said the engagement reflected strong areas of strategic alignment between South Africa and the European Union.

“The engagement with the EU Committee on Foreign Affairs was robust, honest and enlightening in that there are areas of strategic alignment, especially with relation to fostering cooperation and mutual development. Also, the two delegations agreed that legislatures have an important role to play using parliamentary diplomacy to advance mutually beneficial development across the globe,” said Mr Mahumapelo.

The committee reaffirmed that South Africa remains open to foreign direct investment, guided by the country’s laws and regulatory framework. It stressed that investment in South Africa should consider both the historical and contemporary realities shaping the nation’s developmental trajectory.

The committee further emphasised that South Africa retains the sovereign right to choose trading partners aligned with its developmental objectives. In this regard, members underscored the importance of the European Union as a strategic trading partner and called for intensified dialogue to resolve existing trade challenges that continue to restrict the export of certain South African goods to European markets.

The committee welcomed the EU delegation’s commitment to continued discussions aimed at addressing these barriers and improving market access for South African exports.

On the broader African development agenda, the committee maintained that the continent’s growth should be driven by beneficiation of its raw materials and industrial development. Members stressed that Africa is not seeking hand-outs, but rather equitable and mutually beneficial partnerships that support sustainable development for all parties involved.

The engagement also focused on current geopolitical tensions and global governance reform. The committee reiterated South Africa’s non-aligned foreign policy position and highlighted dialogue as the most effective mechanism for resolving international disputes peacefully.

Regarding reform of the United Nations Security Council, both delegations agreed on the need for reform, particularly concerning permanent representation on the council. However, there was also consensus that any reform process should be based on broad international agreement.

The committee described the engagement as an important platform for strengthening parliamentary diplomacy and enhancing mutual understanding of foreign policy priorities in an increasingly constrained geopolitical environment.

Both delegations committed to continued engagement aimed at deepening inter-parliamentary cooperation and advancing parliamentary diplomacy in pursuit of peace, development and global stability.

Issued by the Parliamentary Communication Services on behalf of the chairperson of the Portfolio Committee on International Relations and Cooperation, Supra Mahumapelo