Brussels, Belgium - The fourth South Africa/European Union summit will open Thursday at the Kruger National Park, under the joint chairmanship of President Jacob Zuma of South Africa and President of the European Council Herman Van Rompuy.

The meeting will discuss the Libyan crisis, the border conflict between Sudan and Southern Sudan, and the upcoming elections in Zimbabwe, according to a statement issued in Brussels.

In addition, both parties will discuss issues of common interest under the South Africa/EU Strategic Partnership concluded in 2007.

The statement said the EU intends to deepen its relations with South Africa, an emerging country that Brussels sees 'as a key partner, playing a major political role' in mediating conflicts in Africa, within the G-20 and the UN Security Council.

The summit will be preceded by ministerial-level consultations, which will involve the European Commissioner for Trade, Karel De Gucht, who is mandated to drive the negotiations on Economic Partnership Agreements (EPAs) between the EU and Southern African countries.

Five countries in the region - Angola, Botswana, Lesotho, Swaziland and Mozambique - have already signed with the EU an Interim Free Trade agreement compatible with WTO rules, in anticipation of the conclusion of a comprehensive EPA.

Pana 15/09/2011