ABSTRACT
South Africa is the prime partner of the European Union (EU) in Africa and is one of its most significant interlocutors among the so-called emerging markets. In theory, South Africa could be a firm counterpart for the EU in its interaction with Africa, especially insofar as interregional and multilateral relations are concerned. This is particularly relevant given that the EU’s partnership with the African continent has achieved the highest level of sophistication: nowhere else in the world are two regions (or rather continents) as closely connected via a strategic partnership, a series of multilateral trade agreements and a deep institutional cooperation ranging from security to development aid and technological cooperation.
