Brussels, 12/09/2011 (Agence Europe) - Before visiting South Africa to take part in the EU-Africa summit oo 15 September, Karel de Gucht, European Trade Commissioner, will be in Namibia on 13 September. His talks with President Hifikepunye Poamba and key members of the Namibian government will aim to breathe new life into negotiations for the EPA between the SADC (Southern African Development Community) and the EU. South Africa is also taking part in these negotiations.
The ministerial meeting which will precede the EU-South Africa summit, and which will bring Karel de Gucht together with his South African counterparts, will have the same objective. Although access to the European market and the treatment of issues related to services are still open, the commissioner is confident. “South Africa and Namibia are key trade partners for Europe and these discussions are set to deepen these ties further. With a shared vision and a pragmatic approach, we should be able to bring these talks to a successful conclusion in the not so distant future to the benefit of all sides”, he said on Monday. In 2009, Angola, Botswana, Lesotho, Swaziland and Mozambique signed an interim agreement with the EU. Namibia initialled it but did not sign. (A.N./transl.fl)