Panicos Pourgourides takes office as Head of the European Commission Representation in Nicosia
As of this week Panicos Pourgourides has formally assumed his duties as new Head of the European Commission Representation in Nicosia (HoR), Cyprus. In this function, he will act as the official representative of the European Commission in Cyprus under the political authority of President Ursula von der Leyen. Yesterday, the newly appointed HoR had his initial meeting with the President of the Republic of Cyprus, Nikos Christodoulides.
Mr Pourgourides, a Cypriot national with a strong background in international relations, brings extensive experience from a career spanning European affairs and national politics. Over the years, he has developed strong skills in strategic insight, stakeholder engagement, policy coordination and diplomacy, which are directly relevant for representing the Commission in Cyprus. His professional experience has given him a deep understanding of how to navigate complex communication environments, build constructive relationships with a wide range of actors, and communicate effectively across different levels of governance. These qualities, combined with his vast knowledge of European institutions, make him particularly well suited to lead the Commission’s work in Cyprus.
Most recently, Mr Pourgourides served as Member of Cabinet of Commissioner Stella Kyriakides. Prior to joining the Commission, he worked in the House of Representatives of the Republic of Cyprus and as Secretary of the Cyprus Parliamentary Delegation to the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe.
Background
The Commission maintains Representations in all capitals of EU Member States, and Regional Offices in Barcelona, Bonn, Marseille, Milan, Munich and Wroclaw. The Representations are the Commission’s eyes, ears and voice on the ground in EU Member States. They interact with national authorities, stakeholders and citizens, and inform the media and the public about EU policies. Heads of Representations are appointed by the President of the European Commission and are her political representatives in the Member State to which they are posted.
For More Information
Welcome to the website of the European Commission Representation in Cyprus
Commission adopts its November infringement procedures
November infringements package: key decisions
https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/inf_25_2481
To help citizens and businesses benefit fully from the European Union’s legislation, the Commission maintains a constant dialogue with Member States to ensure compliance with EU law. It can initiate infringement procedures against Member States in the event of non-compliance. The decisions taken today, as part of this infringement package, include 20 letters of formal notice and several reasoned opinions. The Commission also decided to refer 6 cases to the Court of Justice of the European Union. Finally, the Commission decided to close 95 cases in which the Member States concerned, in cooperation with the Commission, have brought an infringement to an end and ensured compliance with EU law. The decisions and the corresponding press releases are available online.
The European Commission is also taking action against several EU Member States that have failed to notify the Commission of measures they have adopted to transpose EU Directives into their national laws. The Commission is sending a letter of formal notice to these Member States, giving them two months to reply and complete the transposition of the Directives. The Member States in question have failed to fully transpose three EU directives related to financial stability and energy. More information in our press release.
More information on the EU infringement procedure can be found in the following Q and A.
(For more information: Arianna Podestà – Tel.: +32 2 298 70 24; Joana Rodrigues Lisboa – Tel.: + 32 3 296 31 19)
Commission takes action to ensure complete and timely transposition of EU directives
The European Commission is taking action against several EU Member States that have failed to notify the Commission of measures to transpose EU Directives into their national laws. These Member States have failed to fully transpose three EU directives related to energy and financial services. The deadline to transpose these Directives has expired recently and the Commission is urging them to take immediate action to bring their laws in line with EU requirements. The Commission is sending a letter of formal notice to these Member States, giving them two months to reply and complete the transposition of the Directives. If they fail to do so, the Commission may pass to a next step and issue a reasoned opinion.
Commission calls on Member States to transpose the reinforced rules on energy efficiency
The European Commission decided to open infringement procedures by sending letters of formal notice to Belgium, Bulgaria, Denmark, Germany, Estonia, Ireland, Greece, Spain, France, Croatia, Italy, Cyprus, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Hungary, Malta, the Netherlands, Austria, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovenia, Slovakia, Finland and Sweden for failure to communicate the full transposition of the recast Energy Efficiency Directive (EU) 2023/1791. The Directive was adopted in 2023 and Member States had to notify the transposition of the Directive by 11 October 2025, except for some specific provisions, such as on reporting, which had specific deadlines. The new rules set a binding goal to achieve an overall reduction in the EU in the final energy consumption of 11.7% by 2030 (compared to 2020 projections). The Directive also requires EU countries to ensure that the public sector leads by example, reducing its own final energy consumption by 1.9% each year (compared to 2021 levels) and renovating at least 3% of public buildings annually. The new rules also promote the creation of ‘one-stop shops’ at national level, which are mechanisms providing free advice, guidance and practical support for energy efficiency and renovations measures, making this process easier especially for vulnerable households and those living in the worst energy performing buildings. Member States have to ensure that data centres report on energy efficiency data. The Directive promotes energy efficiency services, including through energy service companies and innovative financing solutions. To date, only Czechia notified full transposition of the Directive by the legal deadline. The Commission is therefore sending letters of formal notice to the remaining 26 Member States. They now have two months to respond, complete their transposition and notify the Commission. In the absence of a satisfactory response, the Commission may decide to issue a reasoned opinion.
Commission calls on Member States to transpose the updated list of feedstocks for the production of biofuels and biogas used in the transport sector
The European Commission decided to open infringement procedures by sending letters of formal notice to Belgium, Czechia, Denmark, Germany, Estonia, Ireland, Greece, Spain, Croatia, Latvia, Malta, Netherlands, Austria, Portugal and Finland for failing to fully transpose into national law the amendments made to Annex IX of the Renewable Energy Directive (Directive (EU) 2018/2001) by the Delegated Directive (EU) 2024/1405. Annex IX contains a list of feedstocks that are mainly used to produce biogas and advanced biofuels (Part A), and other biofuels and biogas (Part B). Biofuels and biogas produced from feedstocks listed in Annex IX are used in the transport sector. These fuels are promoted in the Renewable Energy Directive since they have a better environmental effect than conventional biofuels (biofuels produced from food and feed crops). Delegated Directive (EU) 2024/1405 amended the list included in Annex IX by introducing new feedstocks to both Part A and Part B. The amendments had to be transposed by 14 September 2025. To date, 15 Member States have not declared full transposition of the amendments to Annex IX of the Renewable Energy Directive by the legal deadline. The Commission is therefore sending them letters of formal notice. These Member States now have two months to respond, complete their transposition and notify the Commission. In the absence of a satisfactory response, the Commission may decide to issue a reasoned opinion.
Commission calls on Member States to fully transpose the amended Directive on markets in financial instruments
The European Commission decided to open infringement procedures by sending a letter of formal notice to Belgium, Bulgaria, Germany, Estonia, Greece, Spain, France, Italy, Lithuania, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal and Romania for failing to fully transpose Directive (EU) 2024/790. This Directive amended the Directive on markets in financial instruments (Directive (EU) 2014/65/EU) to ensure coherence with the Markets in Financial Instruments Regulation (Regulation (EU) No 600/2014, ‘MiFIR’). Member States had to transpose Directive (EU) 2024/790 into national law by 29 September 2025. This Directive requires Member States to provide for sanctions for infringements of certain new provisions in MiFIR related to the consolidated tapes. Consolidated tapes are centralised data feeds that bring together the prices and volumes of financial instruments, such as shares and bonds, from hundreds of trading venues across all Member States into a single stream of information, equally accessible for everybody. By providing near real-time information on pricing conditions across EU venues, consolidated tapes empower users, such as investors and brokers, to make better informed decisions. Full implementation of the legislation is key to ensuring the successful launch of the consolidated tapes and the smooth application of the MiFIR framework. The Commission is therefore sending letters of formal notice to these Member States and they will have two months to respond, complete their transposition and notify the Commission. In the absence of a satisfactory response, the Commission may decide to issue a reasoned opinion.
European Commission announces five finalists for the 2026 Access City Award
Piacenza (Italy), Rennes (France), Salzburg (Austria), Valencia (Spain) and Zaragoza (Spain) have today been announced as the finalists for the 2026 Access City Award. These cities demonstrate a strong and sustained commitment to making urban life more accessible for persons with disabilities – including access to built environment and public spaces, public transport, facilities and services, as well as information and communication technologies.
Commissioner for Preparedness and Equality, Hadja Lahbib, said: ‘Every year, the Access City Award showcases the remarkable efforts of cities across Europe in creating inclusive, accessible environments for persons with disabilities. This milestone is not just a celebration of the progress made, but a call to continue expanding accessibility to ensure that every citizen can fully engage with urban life. Those cities’ outstanding work shows it is possible.’
For this 16th edition of the Award, 51 cities applied. Among them, 18 candidates were pre-selected by the national juries and the five finalists were then shortlisted by an EU jury. In light of the current challenges related to housing supply across Europe, this year’s edition also includes a special mention for ‘accessibility in housing’. The Commission may award additional Special Mentions to applicants demonstrating exceptional achievements in specific areas.
The winners of 2026 Access City Award will be announced at an award ceremony on 5 December 2025 during the European Day of Persons with Disabilities conference, organised jointly by the European Commission and the European Disability Forum. Journalists can register to attend in person. The ceremony will start at 09:00 CET and will be broadcast live with international sign interpretation, audio-description and captioning in English.
(For more information: Eva Hrncirova-Tel.: +32 2 298 84 33; Anna Gray – Tel.: +32 2 298 08 73)
Statement by President von der Leyen with President Costa ahead of the G20 Summit in South Africa
Let me first say, together with President Costa, that the European Union is very pleased to be here in Johannesburg. This G20 Summit is the first on African soil. The first since the African Union joined as a permanent member. This is highlighting Africa’s central and vital role on the global stage, and the leadership of President Ramaphosa and South Africa.
The G20 is a premier global forum to find common solutions to common challenges, such as how to maintain reliable, rules-based trade in a volatile global economy; how to ensure climate change, food and energy resilience; and how to meet the opportunities and risks posed by rapid technological change. These are the topics of the three roundtables that will form the core of our discussions in the next two days. Allow me to go into further detail on each of them.
First, on trade. Europe is doubling down on our core belief that rules-based trade delivers. We will continue to champion partnership, openness and fair competition. That is the message we will bring to this G20 and to the EU-African Union Summit which follows it. Our network of Free Trade Agreements is already the biggest in the world: 44 agreements with 76 partners. With more on the way. The agreements we have reached with Mercosur, Mexico and Indonesia further strengthen our network. We are working non-stop to finalise an agreement with India – but also with Australia, Thailand, the Philippines, Malaysia, and the UAE. Just yesterday, the EU and South Africa concluded a Clean Trade and Investment Partnership (CTIP). We are a partner that plays by the rules. A partner that listens. And above all, a partner that delivers mutual gains in trade and investment, which in turn delivers good jobs. We believe in the mutual gain in trade and investment. We will continue advocating for a strong, reformed and relevant World Trade Organisation, including here at the G20.
For the second roundtable, the motto is ‘a resilient world’. And here the focus is on fighting climate change and the clean energy transition. The EU wants to bring a message of hope and opportunity to this G20 Summit. It is a message about clean energy technologies and clean energy transitions. Because not only do they meet our urgent need to tackle climate change. They do much more than that, and the business case by now is doing much better. Clean energy transitions are cost-competitive. They create good jobs. They open new ways to bring modern energy to the many millions that remain without access to energy, and they are a natural fit for many developing economies. As it is about the resources that these developing economies have in abundance. And it is not only about solar, but also wind, geothermal, hydropower, and the new low-emissions fuels. But for the clean transition to truly succeed, it must happen everywhere. That is important. This is where reliable cooperation between trusted partners is yet again the best way forward. I welcome South Africa making this a focal point of their G20 Presidency. Think about two figures. Last year the investment in clean energy was globally EUR 2 trillion, but only 2% of this investment went to Africa – the continent with 60% of the world’s best solar potential. This cannot be. We must change this imbalance. That is at the core of the EU’s Global Gateway initiative. Of the whole EUR 300 billion, 25% go into energy investment and this to the Global South. The EU wants to be Africa’s partner of choice, that is important for us. And the opportunity is now. And therefore, I welcome that there is a side event here at G20 this afternoon. Together with President Ramaphosa, we will host the final pledging event of our campaign ‘Scaling Up Renewables for Africa’. It will be a key moment because we will convene governments, investors and philanthropists to come together and to power Africa’s future. I hope to see you there too.
My final point is on the third roundtable, ‘a fair and just future’. And here we will discuss the new issues like digital governance and how to enter the global economic mainstream with digitalisation. That is why I am looking forward to our discussions on AI. AI is a revolution. We must make it a revolution with citizens at its core. For Europe, innovation and accountability do not pull in opposite directions. On the contrary, they push together. And we are already working hand in hand with G20 partners who share the same vision of AI. It must be a game-changer for good. This potential is strong on the African continent. From optimizing the renewable energy grids to predicting natural disasters You need AI in these topics. And here Europe is working with their partners to lay the groundwork, here in Africa, for AI factories. In other words, this is bringing computational power to the many start-ups that are here on the continent, so that they can train, develop and improve their models.
So to conclude, I look forward to the next 2 days.
Thank you.
Commission decides to refer GREECE to the Court of Justice of the European Union for failing to align its rules on family benefits with EU law
Today, the European Commission decided to refer Greece to the Court of Justice of the European Union for failing to bring its national legislation on family benefits in line with EU rules on social security coordination and free movement of workers.
Under Greek law, only EU nationals who have lived in Greece for at least five years with their children can claim family benefits. Non-EU nationals, even if covered by the EU social security coordination rules (for example, because they moved to Greece from another EU country), must reside in Greece for at least 12 years to be eligible. In the Commission’s view, these requirements are discriminatory and in breach of EU law. EU rules on social security coordination explicitly prohibit any residence requirements for receiving social security benefits, including family allowances.
The Commission launched the infringement procedure in November 2023 by sending a letter of formal notice to the Greek authorities, followed by a reasoned opinion in July 2024. As Greece has not taken the necessary measures to remedy the situation, the Commission has decided to refer the case to the Court of Justice.
Background
The EU rules on social security coordination (Regulation (EC) 883/2004) ensure that EU citizens who move to another Member State to work there do not lose their social security rights, such as pensions, healthcare, family allowances and unemployment benefits. The EU legislation on the free movement of workers (Regulation (EU) 492/2011 and Article 45 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the EU) guarantee that EU citizens can work in any Member State without discrimination based on nationality and have equal access to employment, working conditions, and social and tax advantages.
For More Information
EU infringement procedure
Infringement decisions database and infringements map and graphs
November 2025 infringements package
Infringement decision Greece INFR(2023)2097
Palestine Donor Group: EU leads international efforts for strong and viable Palestinian governance
Today, the European Commission convened the first meeting of the Palestine Donor Group (PDG) in Brussels, co-chaired by Commissioner for the Mediterranean Dubravka Šuica and Palestinian Prime Minister Mohammad Mustafa.
This is a clear deliverable of the EU’s Multiannual Comprehensive Programme for Palestinian recovery and resilience adopted in April, as well as an expression of the EU’s commitment to the stability of the region, as underlined by President Ursula von der Leyen in her State of the Union speech in September 2025.
The PDG gathered ministers and senior officials from around 60 key international and regional players. These included EU Member States, Arab countries, potential donors to the Gaza Peace Plan, as well as international and regional organisations and financial institutions. Together, participants discussed the Palestinian Authority’s fiscal situation, as well as the state of play of the implementation of its Reform Agenda linked to the EU’s Multiannual Comprehensive Programme of support worth up to pound 1.6 billion for Palestine. They also exchanged on the economic recovery of the West Bank.
Progress under the Reform Agenda
The Palestinian-EU reform matrix, as agreed with the Palestinian Authority in November 2024, is anchored in the ambitious Reform Agenda of the Palestinian Authority. Today’s meeting was first and foremost an opportunity to take stock of the progress made in this respect and draw political support from international partners on this ambitious reform plan.
Against this background, the Palestinian Authority presented its progress to date in fiscal, economic and governance reforms. It also explained the achievements made in terms of basic service provision, including on education, health and private sector development. Secondly, the PDG also discussed latest developments and initiatives related to the future of Gaza, following the adoption of UN Security Council Resolution 2803 on Gaza on 17 November 2025.
The Commission will continue to support all efforts to stabilise the region, including the West Bank and Gaza transitional governance, recovery and reconstruction, with the Reform Agenda at the core of its action.
EU financial support under PEGASE
To securely and transparently channel funds to the Palestinian Authority, the Commission relies on PEGASE, a mechanism created by the EU in 2008 with high standards of control applied through ex ante audit and ex post verification.
Donors under PEGASE contribute to the considerable reduction of transaction costs for financial support to the Palestinian Authority. It also allows for increased ownership, transparency and effectiveness of international contributions to the Palestinian Authority.
Since its creation, PEGASE channelled support to Palestinian people for a total of pound 3.7 billion.
During an event on the margins of the PDG, the EU together with Germany, Luxembourg, Slovenia, and Spain, signed more than pound 82 million of new contribution agreements in additional financial support from Member States channelled through PEGASE. The total amount pledged this year is of more than pound 88 million, including earlier contributions from Finland, Ireland Italy and Spain.
Background
The EU is a long-standing partner of the Palestinian people and advocate for a Two-State solution with Israelis and Palestinians living in security and in peace side by side. It has shown its support both politically and financially.
Supporting a strong and viable governance by the Palestinian Authority is key to achieve a sustainable and long-term peace, for the Palestinian people and the region as a whole.
Since 1994, the EU has provided almost pound 30 billion in assistance. In April 2025, the Commission adopted a pound 1.6 billion Multiannual and Comprehensive Programme to support Palestine’s Recovery and Resilience, covering the next three years. The programme is currently under implementation. Since October 2023, the EU commitments amount to almost pound 740 million in grants and loans.
Direct financial support to the Palestinian Authority is rooted in the implementation of its Reform Agenda. The Palestine Donor Group is an integral part of the EU programme for Palestine and was announced at several instances, including by President von der Leyen and at the United Nations General Assembly in New York at the two-state solution conference co-organised by France and the Kingdom of Saudia Arabia on the margins of the United Nations General Assembly in New York, on 22 September 2025.
The Commission is also supporting the work of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) to ensure key services on the ground.
For more information
EU Multiannual and Comprehensive Programme for Palestine Recovery and Resilience ;
EU support to Palestinians (will be available later);
EU-Palestine relations
List of participants
Quote(s)
Reform of the Palestinian Authority is fundamental for it to govern a future Palestinian state. The Palestinian Authority has the EU’s full support in these efforts. With the UN Security Council vote for an international stabilization force, we have now entered a new phase where there is a real chance to move beyond the fragile truce towards a stable future for the Palestinian people. The EU has a lot to offer to secure peace, from our two civilian missions in the region working on border assistance and justice reforms, to our continued financial backing of the Palestinian Authority.
Kaja Kallas, High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy/Vice-President of the European Commission
The EU is a strong and long-standing partner of the Palestinian people. The current ceasefire in Gaza remains fragile, but it offers renewed hope for lasting peace and security for both Palestinians and Israelis. Achieving this requires meaningful Palestinian participation and a strong, reformed Palestinian Authority capable of governing its people. This is why we convened the Palestinian Donor Group today. The Group will support the implementation of Palestinian reforms, helping strengthen its governance, improve its economic resilience, and advance Gaza’s recovery. Palestinians must have a decisive role in shaping their own future, and we are here to help ensure that.
Dubravka Šuica, Commissioner for the Mediterranean
Press statement by President von der Leyen at the EU-South Africa leaders’ meeting
President Ramaphosa, dear Cyril,
Thank you for your warm welcome to Johannesburg. Tomorrow, you will host the G20 in your great and beautiful country. This will be the first G20 Summit to take place on African soil and the first since the African Union joined as a permanent member – highlighting Africa’s central, vital role on the global stage.
But first, let us talk about us – Europe and South Africa. Dear Cyril, what a year it has been for our relationship. Today we are building on the success of our Summit in Cape Town and of the Global Gateway Summit in Brussels – thank you again for having come there. Now, right here in Joburg, we double down on our unique partnership. First of all, we signed our Clean Trade and Investment Partnership. This is the very first time that the European Union is signing such a partnership. So you are a highly valued partner for clean trade and investment. It will boost trade and investment in key clean sectors – green hydrogen, renewables and many more.
For the first time, we will discuss regulation, trade barriers and supply security – under one framework. The CTIP will make South Africa a destination of choice for European clean tech investment. It will also broaden our cooperation on skills. Because technologies are only as good as the people operating them. So upskilling is a key part here. And of course, with skills come jobs – new jobs, good jobs, right here in South Africa.
Today, we also signed our Memorandum of Understanding on the Minerals and Metals Value Chain Partnership. We need these inputs to power the clean energy transition – both here and in Europe. The future of our economies depends on fair and reliable supply chains – my emphasis is on ‘reliable supply chains’. This is the reason why we strengthen and diversify our supplies among trusted partners. And for us, you are one of the first trusted partners. This agreement will also help South Africa to expand this strategic industry. As you said, we are not just looking at extraction. It is important for us that we look at the entire value chain, at the local added value. Because this brings local jobs. For us this is the meaning of a sustainable and trusted partnership over a long time. Today at the airport, I was received by the Minister of minerals, and we were discussing just that. And when I said that, aside from extraction, what is important for us is the local processing, the local added value and the local jobs, you said: ‘Since you said that, I will come this afternoon to sign the agreement!’ And here you are!
We are also delivering on our EUR 12 billion Global Gateway investment package. And today, we have signed three new major projects. First, together with the European Investment Bank, we are investing EUR 350 million to modernise South Africa’s infrastructure, both in transport and energy. This includes support for Transnet’s decarbonisation under the Just Energy Transition Partnership. Second, we are launching a EUR 330 million financing package to strengthen value chains for critical raw materials, green hydrogen and e-batteries. And third, we are investing EUR 70 million in South Africa’s pharma and vaccine production. This is a real success story, because I remember how much we were discussing during the pandemic on how we can make sure that the development and vaccines for Africa takes place in Africa. COVID-19 showed us how important vaccine sovereignty is. And here is the result, it is up and running. So I thank you for the excellent cooperation.
Finally, we are teaming up, dear Cyril, not only for South Africa, but for the whole of Africa. One year ago, the two of us launched the ‘Scaling Up Renewables in Africa’ campaign, to mobilise investments for clean energy. To help provide access to electricity for the 600 million people on the continent who still lack it. Tomorrow is the big day. Our final pledging event. We have brought governments, companies and philanthropists together, with one clear goal in mind: to power the future of this entire continent with clean, affordable and accessible energy. And tomorrow, we are hosting the final pledging event here together. So, I am very much looking forward to the next days.
European Union Leaders meet President Ramaphosa on the margins of G20 Summit: 20 November 2025
President Cyril Ramaphosa, President of the European Council, Mr António Luís Santos da Costa, and President of the European Commission, Dr Ursula von der Leyen, met on the margins of the G20 Summit on 20 November 2025.
This meeting follows a series of engagements between the leaders, including at the multilateral fora such as the UNGA80 in New York, the EU’s Global Gateway Forum in Brussels and the recent ASEAN Summit in Kuala Lumpur.
The Leaders reviewed progress on the key political and economic outcomes agreed to at the 8th EU-South Africa Summit held in March 2025, in Cape Town.
In the context of South Africa’s G20 Presidency and ahead of the 7th EU-AU Summit on 24-25 November in Luanda, Angola, this meeting took place against the backdrop of growing challenges to multilateralism and the ongoing conflict in Sudan. Leaders reiterated their March commitment to a just, comprehensive, and lasting peace in Ukraine and in the occupied Palestinian Territories. They also recalled the importance of multilateralism, the centrality of the United Nations Charter and the support for a renewed global financing framework for sustainable development, following the 4th International Conference on Financing for Development in Seville from 30 June to 3 July 2025 and Conference of the Parties of the UNFCCC (COP30) from 6 to 21 November in Belém, Brazil.
The Leaders welcomed the signature of the EU-South Africa Clean Trade and Investment Partnership (CTIP), which will create new trade and investment opportunities, while supporting decarbonisation objectives through a tailored, flexible, and targeted approach taking into account the priorities of South Africa and the EU. In addition to facilitating trade and investment in clean supply chains, this partnership will also serve as a forum for regulatory cooperation between the EU and South Africa in areas of mutual interest.
The Leaders also welcomed the signature of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for a Strategic Partnership on Sustainable Minerals and Metals Value Chains, which will promote value addition and beneficiation of critical minerals close to the source of extraction and will enhance economic and industrial integration between South Africa and the EU.
Delivering on the commitment taken up at the EU-South Africa Summit earlier this year, the two sides launched the EU – South AfricaEnergy Dialogue in September 2025 and agreed to raise it to Ministerial level in 2026. The Dialogue provides a platform to deepen collaboration in areas such as transmission, clean energy technologies and additional just transition initiatives. Both sides also reiterated the commitment to work together towards future export of electro Sustainable Aviation Fuel (e-SAF) to the EU market in line with the commitment made during the EU-SA Summit in March 2025.
Leaders reiterated their commitment to facilitate bilateral trade in animals, plants and their products. In particular, South Africa reaffirmed its commitment to enable trade of poultry, including through a conclusive discussion on regionalisation, as well as further assess and process EU market access applications based on the information to be provided by exporting countries as a matter of priority. The EU signaled readiness to advance listing South Africa as eligible to export shelf-stable composite products to the EU market. South Africa has shared progress reports on various EU market access requests. Both sides committed to identify tangible deliverables to demonstrate progress in fulfilling their respective commitments by the next Trade and Investment Dialogue.
The two sides commended the agreement to facilitate bilateral cumulation of batteries through a temporary derogation from the Rules of Origin under the provisions of the EU – SADC Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) to be submitted by South Africa. This derogation would aim at promoting battery manufacturing in the EU and South Africa and facilitating South Africa to employ batteries made in the EU and South Africa to export electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles to the EU market under the EU-SADC EPA.
The EU announced five projects as part of the implementation of the Team Europe Global Gateway Investment Package for South Africa of nearly EUR 12 billion, unveiled at the Global Gateway Forum in Brussels on 9 October 2025. These projects included three blended finance and technical assistance facilities on green hydrogen, minerals and metals in the e-batteries value chain; a European Investment Bank (EIB) loan to Transnet to support the decarbonisation of South Africa’s transport sector; as well as support from EIB under the EU-supported Human Development Accelerator initiative to boost South Africa’s vaccine’s manufacturing capacities. The two sides acknowledged the role of the implementing partners, including the Development Bank of Southern Africa, the Industrial Development Cooperation, Transnet and Biovac, as well as the EIB, the German Development Bank (KfW) and the German Agency for International Cooperation (GIZ).
The Leaders acknowledged the ongoing negotiations on the Horizontal Aviation Agreement, and the commitment by both sides to strengthen cooperation on maritime security in the context of the Djibouti Code of Conduct.
The two sides noted the recent high-level discussions and technical exchanges dedicated to strengthening cooperation on environment, specifically on issues related to the water sector.
The Leaders took note of ongoing efforts to advance cooperation on peace, security and defence, notably by establishing a dedicated Dialogue as set out in the Summit Declaration of March. It will strengthen cooperation, including on countering terrorism, cybersecurity, maritime security and mediation. They further concurred that tackling the underlying drivers of conflict remains essential for achieving durable peace, security and stability.
The meeting took place in the same spirit of partnership and cooperation that characterised the Summit in Cape Town. Both sides undertook to redouble efforts to address the outstanding issues to foster shared prosperity based on the principles of equality and mutual benefit.
The EU looked forward to hosting the 9th EU – South AfricaSummit in Brussels on a mutually suitable date to be agreed between the parties.
Ahead of G20 Summit, EU and South Africa advance cooperation on clean trade and investment
The EU and South Africa have just signed a landmark Clean Trade and Investment Partnership, along with a new cooperation agreement on minerals and metals value chains and new projects under Global Gateway, Europe’s investment strategy for the world.
Announced by President Ursula von der Leyen and President António Costa together with President Cyril Ramaphosa at a Leaders’ meeting in Johannesburg a day before the G20 Summit, these initiatives reinforce clean and resilient supply chains, support local strategic industries, and accelerate investments in green hydrogen and critical raw materials.
President von der Leyen said: ‘2025 has already been a landmark year for EU-South Africa relations, and today we are taking it even further by signing the first-ever Clean Trade and Investment Partnership. This new, dynamic form of trade agreement brings together competitiveness and climate action. We are stepping up mutually beneficial cooperation in the clean economy and on critical raw materials. And we are hosting the final pledging event of our ‘Scaling Up Renewables for Africa’ campaign to help power a clean future for the continent.’
Tomorrow at 15:30 SAST, President von der Leyen and President Ramaphosa will host the final pledging event of ‘Scaling Up Renewables for Africa’, a year-long campaign launched at the G20 Summit in Rio to mobilise financing for clean energy, electrification, and clean cooking solutions across the continent.
Today, the Leaders agreed on the following:
Clean Trade and Investment Partnership (CTIP)
The EU and South Africa signed a Clean Trade and Investment Partnership, the first of its kind, designed to drive mutually beneficial trade, investment and job creation while supporting decarbonisation and clean supply chains. This new type of cooperation will strengthen the EU’s position as a partner of choice for countries committed to the clean transition.
For the EU, it will help to diversify partnerships, create new investment opportunities for companies, and strengthen access to essential raw materials. For South Africa, it will support sustainable industrial growth, local job creation and broader decarbonisation efforts.
The CTIP will focus on building clean supply chains in areas like renewable energy, electricity grid, clean fuels, raw materials, and clean technologies.
MoU on a partnership on minerals and metals value chains
The EU and South Africa signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on a partnership on sustainable minerals and metals value chains, following agreements with Zambia, the Democratic Republic of Congo and Namibia. The MoU was signed on behalf of the EU by Executive Vice-President for Prosperity and Industrial Strategy, Stéphane Séjourné. The partnership is grounded in shared objectives and mutual benefits. It aims to identify and jointly develop industrial projects of common interest across the exploration, extraction, refining and recycling of minerals and metals, thereby strengthening the economic and industrial integration of both value chains.
Global Gateway signatures
Several projects illustrate the rapid rollout of the nearly pound 12 billion Team Europe Investment package, presented by Presidents von der Leyen and Ramaphosa in Brussels on 9 October 2025. They form part of the Global Gateway portfolio, translating our shared priorities into concrete, high-impact investments:
Three Team Europe investment facilities to boost investments in green hydrogen and e-batteries, sustainable critical raw materials value chains, and an enabling environment. The package is worth almost pound 328 million and will be mobilised in close partnership with KfW and GIZ, Germany’s development bank and cooperation agency.
Two framework loans with the European Investment Bank (EIB) will support major projects in South Africa:
Frist, a pound 350 million EIB loan with a pound 21 million EU grant will support South Africa’s freight and logistics company Transnet to modernise its rail, port, and pipeline infrastructure.
Second, in partnership with the Gates Foundation, the Commission has approved a guarantee for an EIB loan to expand vaccine production in South Africa through a large-scale, multi-vaccine facility. This builds on Team Europe’s pound 700 million support for the country’s pharmaceutical sector and contributes to Africa’s goal of producing 60% of its vaccines locally by 2040.
Background
2025 has been a key year for the EU-South Africa partnership. A Ministerial meeting in February was followed by a successful Summit in March. At the Global Gateway Forum in October, Team Europe and South Africa mobilised an investment package of nearly pound 12 billion to support energy, digital connectivity, sustainable infrastructure and pharmaceuticals.
Following the G20 Summit in South Africa, both President von der Leyen and President Costa will head to Luanda, Angola, for the first EU-African Union Summit on 24-25 November.
For more information
Joint press statement by EU Leaders and President Ramaphosa
Factsheet on CTIP
Quote(s)
2025 has already been a landmark year for EU-South Africa relations, and today we are taking it even further by signing the first-ever Clean Trade and Investment Partnership. This new, dynamic form of trade agreement brings together competitiveness and climate action. We are stepping up mutually beneficial cooperation in the clean economy and on critical raw materials. And we are hosting the final pledging event of our ‘Scaling Up Renewables for Africa’ campaign to help power a clean future for the continent.
Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission
In an increasingly unstable geopolitical environment, Europe aims to secure its supply chain of critical raw materials and diversify our sources. In this regard, cooperation between like-minded and trusted partners is key, and South Africa is a natural ally. The signing of this Memorandum of Understanding is a significant step toward greater European engagement with South Africa’s raw materials sector, and I hope it will encourage projects from the country to apply for the second call for European CRM strategic projects.