The European Union (EU) has strong cultural and historical links to South Africa (particularly through immigration from the Netherlands, Ireland, Germany, France, and Greece) and the EU is South Africa's biggest investor.[1]
80.7% Black African, 8.8% Coloured, 7.9% White, 2.6% Asian
GDP (nominal)
$16.477 trillion, $31,801 per capita
$369.854 billion, $6,193 per capita
Agreements[]
Since the end of South Africa's apartheid, EU South African relations have flourished and they began a "Strategic Partnership" in 2007. In 1999 the two sides signed a Trade, Development and Cooperation Agreement (TDCA) which entered into force in 2004, with some provisions being applied from 2000. The TDCA covered a wide range of issues from political cooperation, development and the establishment of a free trade area (FTA).[1] The liberalisation schedules were completed by 2012.[4] Since the signing of the Agreement, trade in goods between the two partners has increased by more than 120%, and foreign direct investment has grown five-fold.[4]
Trade[]
South Africa is the EU's largest trading partner in Southern Africa and has a FTA with the EU. South Africa's main exports to the EU are fuels and mining products (27%), machinery and transport equipment (18%) and other semi-manufactured goods (16%). However they are growing and becoming more diverse. European exports to South Africa are primarily machinery & transport equipment (50%), chemicals (15%) and other semi-machinery (10%).[4]
See also:Operations of the European Border and Coast Guard · Exercises of the Western Union · Operations of the European Maritime Force · Operations of the European Rapid Operational Force · Missions of the European Gendarmerie Force · Exercises of the European Maritime Force · Operations of the European Corps