The Netherlands has reiterated its commitment to work for a successful G20 meeting which South Africa will host later this year.
This is according to Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Netherlands, Caspar Veldkamp in a joint communiqué following the fourth meeting of the South Africa - Netherlands Joint Commission for Cooperation (JCC) on Monday.
“The Ministers discussed the progress of South Africa’s G20 Presidency to which the Netherlands was invited for all meetings including the Leaders’ Summit. Minister Veldkamp reiterated that the Netherlands will continue to work for a successful G20, the first on African soil, under South Africa's Presidency,” the communiqué read.
South Africa is set to host the Group of Twenty (G20) Summit in November 2025. The G20 is an international forum of both developing and developed countries which seeks to find solutions to global economic and financial issues.
South Africa’s Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Ronald Lamola co-chaired the JCC in the Hague alongside Minister Veldkamp.
In a statement on Monday, the Ministry of International Relations and Cooperation said the high-level dialogue between the Ministers underscored the enduring partnership between the two nations.
READ | Minister Lamola arrives in Netherlands for Joint Cooperation Commission
At the JCC, the Ministers noted the outcomes of the recent South Africa – European Union Summit and the agreement to start negotiations on a Clean Trade and Investment Partnership.
“The Ministers expressed their commitment to a fruitful and successful Third AU-EU Ministerial meeting on 20 May 2025 in Brussels, paving the way for an AU-EU Summit in June 2025,” the communiqué stated.
Held in Cape Town in March, President Cyril Ramaphosa described the 8th South Africa-European Union (EU) Summit as a “watershed” moment for trade and investment relations between South Africa and the regional bloc.
READ | SA-EU Summit a 'watershed' moment for trade and investment relations
“As a bloc, the European Union (EU) is one of South Africa’s largest trading partners and the source of much investment in our country. Our economic ties with European countries go back to colonial times. Since the advent of democracy 30 years ago, we have steadily been growing the volume and value of trade,” the President said.
Additionally, the Ministers underlined the strong relations between South Africa and the Netherlands.
“The Ministers underlined the strong, broad and friendly relationship between the Netherlands and South Africa, recalling the State Visit of Their Majesties King Willem-Alexander and Queen Máxima to South Africa in 2023.
“The Ministers noted the progress that has been made in fostering the relationship between the two countries since the Third Meeting of the Joint Commission was held in Pretoria on 18 October 2023,” noted the communiqué. -SAnews.gov.za
