Press Release: First EU – South Africa summits heralds strengthened partnership

The very first summit between EU and South Africa was held on 25 July, 2008, in Bordeaux, France. With this summit, EU-South Africa relations were visibly put on a higher level - making South Africa a true strategic partner. EU Council President Nicolas Sarkozy, Commission President José Manuel Barroso and Development Commissioner Louis Michel met South African President Thabo Mbeki to discuss current political, security and social issues such as migration, climate change, peace and security.