EU praises SA for putting multilateralism at centre of its G20 agenda

The European Union has praised South Africa for putting multilateralism at the centre of its G20 agenda, saying now more than ever, the world needs stronger bilateral ties. 

Addressing a media briefing on the sidelines of the G20 Summit in Johannesburg on Friday, European Union president, Ursula von der Leyen, said the bloc would double down on rules-based trade. 

European Council president, Antonio Costa, said the European Union would remain predictable and reliable partners in facing key challenges of financing, climate change, the just energy transition and enhancing critical minerals.

A day after signing key partnership agreements with South Africa on trade, investment and critical minerals, European Union leaders say they are committed to further investment when it meets with the African Union next week.

In an apparent dig at the United States tariff regime, Von der Leyen said the EU was a partner that plays by the rules. 

"Above all, we deliver mutual gains in trade and investment, which in turn deliver good jobs. We believe in the mutual gain in trade and investment." 

Von der Leyen said Africa’s renewable energy capability had to be scaled up and its solar potential harnessed. 

"For the clean transitions to really succeed, it must happen everywhere. And this where reliable cooperation between trusted partners is again, the best way forward."

Von der Leyen said the EU wanted to be Africa’s partner of choice in shifting the imbalance in the global two trillion dollar investment in clean energy.