By Daisy Ayliffe - 27th June 2006
The European commission has proposed upgrading diplomatic and trade ties with South Africa.
Wednesday's plans for a “strategic partnership” will put relations with South Africa on the same footing as those between Brussels and the US, Japan, Russia, China and India.
“Europe and South Africa agree on many international issues,” development commissioner Louis Michel said in a statement.
“Together we promote, for instance, peace, good governance and regional integration through the African Union.”
Such a partnership would pave the way for deeper trade ties and closer cooperation between the EU and South Africa on issues ranging from HIV/AIDS to counter-terrorism and migration.
"South Africa is a country transformed from the nation that emerged from apartheid 12 years ago," the commission added in a statement.
"It has emerged as a leading nation and a peace broker in the region and on the African continent. It has authority not just in Africa but in global multilateral institutions."
Assuming EU member states approve the partnership upgrade, the move could be launched at a meeting between European and South African officials in November.
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