S. African president to address European Parliament

By Hassan Isilow

JOHANNESBURG (AA) – South African President Cyril Ramaphosa is in Strasbourg, France to address the European Parliament, his office said Wednesday.

Ramaphosa will later hold bilateral talks with officials in France and Belgium, the presidency said in a statement.

“President Ramaphosa will hold brief meetings with President of European Parliament Mr. Antonio Tajani and President of the Socialist Democrats [of Germany] Mr. Udo Bullmann at the European Parliament,” the statement read.

The European Parliament is the directly elected legislative body of the EU and exercises supervisory powers over the work of EU institutions, including the executive arm of the EU and the EU Commission.

“The president will later this afternoon proceed to Brussels in Belgium to continue with the European Union working visit,” the presidency said.

While in Brussels, Ramaphosa will meet with the King of Belgium, Philippe Leopold Louis Marie and the Prime Minister Charles Michel.

South Africa and Belgium enjoy good bilateral relations and trade between the two countries is in favor of South Africa.

South African exports to Belgium include precious stones, organic chemicals, iron, steel and manufactured goods.

South Africa is the only African country and one of 10 countries globally that has a strategic partnership with the EU.

The South Africa-European Union Strategic Partnership covers over 20 sectorial policy dialogues in diverse issues including development cooperation, science and technology, among others.

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