The official account of the Delegation of the European Union to South Africa. Follow Amb Kristian Schmidt @EUAmbSchmidt. See also @EU_eeas & @EU_Partnerships

Pretoria, South Africa
Joined February 2016
#RailDiplomacy this week! Took @TheGautrain to @SaraRail_Org, meeting 🇪🇺🇿🇦 Rail Suppliers, with @ERA_railways Executive Director Oana Gherghinescu. We are partners all of in Southern Africa.
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Congrats! The @IntlCrimCourt ICC wins the EU 🇪🇺 Prize for Freedom of Thought, putting the Court in the excellent company of Nelson Mandela 🇿🇦 and the people of #Ukraine! 🇺🇦. And @NaviPillay1 🇿🇦 is probably please too🤗
The International Criminal Court and its officials have been awarded the European Parliament's 2026 Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought. Learn more about the laureate here ➡️ link.europa.eu/rVBvTR
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EU ambassador Kristian Schmidt defends the principle of BEE while urging flexibility, highlights differences over Ukraine, and outlines deeper trade, investment and security ties with South Africa 🇿🇦🤝🇪🇺
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South Africa and the EU are partners for a #GreenTransition. Responding to climate risks in urban areas is key to that. What is the role for businesses, clean tech and innovation? How can solutions be scaled up? Join us online! 🗓️28 OCT 9:30-11:30 SAST 👉email.flowsa.com/t/y-e-fhyba…
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The #EU funded #STOSARII Project is supporting a #SADC regional validation workshop in Johannesburg, bringing SADC stakeholders together to review three strategic studies on #valuechains, market access and #AfCFTA.
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The three strategic #valuechains studies commissioned by @FAO on behalf of #SADC with #EU support to strengthen regional agricultural competitiveness includes: 🌾 Sector plans for cotton, rice, soya & wheat 🤝Smallholder aggregation & investment 📈 #AfCFTA trade gaps & barriers
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Blue Invest Africa is coming to Cape Town on 2-3 November 2026! We’re proud to be part of it. 🌊 #BlueInvestAfrica #BlueEconomy #GlobalGateway
On this #WorldOceansDay, we look ahead to #BlueInvestAfrica in Cape Town later this year, bringing together investors, entrepreneurs and change makers to advance a sustainable ocean economy. blueinvestafrica.eu/
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EU in SA retweeted
On this #WorldOceansDay, we look ahead to #BlueInvestAfrica in Cape Town later this year, bringing together investors, entrepreneurs and change makers to advance a sustainable ocean economy. blueinvestafrica.eu/
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Maritime decarbonisation is in the interest of everyone.   EU and South Africa are hosting a second workshop attended by 12 African countries on the @IMO’s Net Zero Framework, a great opportunity to build new value chains, attract investment, and create skilled jobs.
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EU in SA retweeted
International navigation must remain open to everyone, not to whoever can pay. Today, 60 countries pledged to oppose tolls or fees on international shipping routes by joining our “No Fees, No Tolls” global pledge. This is a clear diplomatic signal to all those who seek to hijack waterways for their own gain. I want to thank all the countries who signed up and invite others to join us.
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EU in SA retweeted
EU Foreign Ministers just adopted nearly 1,600 new sanctions listings targeting Russia’s military-industrial complex. This is the single largest expansion of our sanctions list since Russia started its war. Europe is again showing a united front. More than half are connected to the production chain for ballistic missiles. We are making it significantly harder, slower and more expensive for Russia to produce the weapons it uses to kill Ukrainians.
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Come for the castle🏰, stay for the sails⛵. October in Trieste comes with an #UnexpectedUpgrade: Adriatic views from Miramare Castle and a waterfront buzzing with excitement as @RegataBarcolana takes over the city from October 2–11🌊. ☀️ italia.it/en/friuli-venezia-…
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Together with Embassies of Ukraine 🇺🇦 & Norway 🇳🇴 we hosted a panel on "Pathways to Peace in Ukraine" with 🇺🇦 Ambassador, @DIRCO_ZA 🇿🇦 & CdA of 🇨🇦, followed by screening of powerful film "Ash and Crayons." The EU stands with Ukraine for just and lasting peace 🇺🇦 🇪🇺
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On Africa-EU relations, @EUAmbSchmidt spoke of where @EU’s positions match those of the Global South, and how world powers could better be classified by “cooperative” rather than “competitive” world views. @RonaldLamola @AshorSarupen @HannsSeidelSA @issafrica @AfricanFutures
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Congratulations to Navanethem “Navi” Pillay on winning the Nobel Peace Price and to all South Africans for the fifth Nobel Peace Price 🇿🇦
Congratulations to lawyer and human rights activist Navanethem “Navi” Pillay on her Nobel Peace Prize. Few have devoted their lives to justice, peace and human dignity like she did. From the violence of apartheid in South Africa to the horrors of the Rwandan genocide, she has confronted some of humanity’s darkest chapters. She has looked the brutality of injustice in the eye and never looked away. She is the defender of the persecuted, the vulnerable, the voiceless and the excluded. Of the rule of law over the right of might. In a world that needs justice more than ever, her courage and moral clarity are a precious compass.
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A first for South Africa and the EU: yesterday,both sides held their first Peace, Security and Defence Dialogue.A new step in working together on evolving security challenges and a commitment to further strengthen our cooperation in the context of a changing geopolitical context.
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#SAEURelations | Participants at the inaugural South Africa – EU Peace, Security and Defence Dialogue (PSDD) co-chaired by Amb. Xolisa Mabhongo & Mr Cosmin Dobran, Acting Managing Director: Peace, Security and Defence at European External Action Service (EEAS), at DIRCO 8/10/2026
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Continued cooperation between the EU and South Africa on the implementation of CBAM climate policy remains essential. Together we can move towards important climate goals and support cleaner industrial production at home and beyond. Yesterday we held a webinar on this. #cbam
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Bridging the gap for SA exporters: Demand for local CBAM verifiers is higher than ever. Thrilled by the many South African professionals stepping up for accreditation.   The path forward is clear: Let's grow together!🇪🇺x🇿🇦 #cbam #euinsa #saexporters #sustainability
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