Europe Day: Speech by Ambassador Sandra Kramer

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Europe Day: Speech by Ambassador Sandra Kramer

08.05.2026 European Union Delegation to South Africa

Delegation of the European Union to South Africa

Europe Day: Speech by Ambassador Sandra Kramer

7 May 2026

Honourable Minister Aucamp, our guest of honour,

Honourable Ministers and deputy Ministers,

Honourable former Ministers,

Honourable deputy Speaker of the national parliament and speakers of provincial parliaments,

Dean of the Diplomatic Corps,

Excellencies,

Representatives of the private sector, civil society, the media, and other partners,

Colleagues and friends,

A great pleasure for me to welcome you to this year's Europe Day.

A day where we celebrate the historic achievement that is the European Union and the values that underpin it. Values that are also those of South Africa.

If there is something I learn every day in this wonderful country it is that the geographical distance between the European Union and South Africa has never been an obstacle.

Today, our relations are ever so close, broad and deep.

Why close? Thousands of South African students go to study to European Universities every year and the same is the case with European students coming to study to South Africa. The experiences they bring back home make our societies better and strengthen our common love for freedom, democracy and solidarity.

Why broad? Our strategic partnership reflects our shared commitment to multilateralism, human rights, and social and economic growth. Our collaboration spans from peace and security, to trade and investment, to innovation and technology.

Our partnership is dynamic and responsive to how the world evolves. We showed this last year with the announcement of three landmark agreements on Global Gateway, the Clean Trade and Investment Partnership and the Partnership on minerals and metals value chains.

President Ramaphosa spoke about the "unprecedented nature of the agreements signed".

Why deep? The integration of our economies is very strong. The EU is South Africa's main trade and investment partner. This is not just an abstract concept. Over 1,700 European companies are currently registered in South Africa, sustaining 500,000 direct local jobs in South Africa and more than 1.3 million indirect local jobs. They come with a commitment to high standards for environment, governance, and labour rights. It means sustainability, local value addition and beneficiation.

Ladies and gentlemen,

From the early beginnings of the Schuman Declaration on 9 May 1950, we've grown into 27 Member States. We are proof that unity is not about erasing differences; it's about overcoming them through mutually beneficial compromises.

Together, we make the European Union more than the sum of its parts. We have 24 different languages. Different cultures. Different traditions. But we are united in our diversity and in our values. And we hope that our story can be an inspiration to others.

Our story is one of freedom. Today, Europeans are free to live and travel across Europe without the need for a passport or the need to change currency.

Our story is one of democracy. Every five years, European Union citizens cast their ballot to elect 720 representatives to the European Parliament.

Our story is one of prosperity. The free flow of goods, services, people and capital boosts our economic growth. And with the largest number of trade agreements in the world, this also benefits our global partners.

Dear Friends,

When Nelson Mandela addressed the European Parliament in 1990, he said: "As we have been partners in the struggle to end apartheid, so should we use the bonds we have built to strengthen our partnership for peace, democracy and social progress."

This year in December, South Africa celebrates the 30^th anniversary of its brilliant constitution. We congratulate South Africa and we will join you in these celebrations. South Africa, like Europe, chooses cooperation over conflict, democracy over authoritarianism, and solidarity over isolationism.

Today, we converge on our commitment to dialogue and global cooperation.

Our partnership is one of shared values which cannot be taken for granted.

Peace is not free. It must be defended. Every day. That's what Ukrainians have been doing for more than four years, defending themselves against Russia's war of aggression. The European Union stands firm, united and unwavering in our support for Ukraine in its fight for freedom from oppression and for democracy. These are the very same values that were at the heart of the anti-apartheid struggle.

Among the nearly 2 million casualties are citizens of South Africa and other African countries lured into fighting for Russia. We express our deepest solidarity with all who have suffered as a result of Russia's exploitation.

With South Africa, and guided by the UN Charter, we support a just, comprehensive, and lasting peace in Ukraine, the occupied Palestinian Territories, in Lebanon, Iran, Sudan, South Sudan, the DRC, and other wars and conflicts around the globe.

Because we know that it is only through more cooperation that we can solve the defining challenges of our time.

Let us, South Africa and the European Union, together shape a world that is more fair, sustainable, prosperous, and secure. Building on the values that we celebrate today and that unite us.

Before handing over to Minister Aucamp, let me thank wholeheartedly

• My amazing EU Delegation team-for their brilliance in organising tonight, and not least for tolerating my comments on the first five versions of this speech.
• The Ambassadors and staff of all EU Member States for contributing to today's event - because teamwork, like a good wine, gets better with time. We truly are a great team! Team Europe!
• Lastly I thank each and every one of you for being here today. Despite distances. And despite the cold.

It means a lot to me!

Siyabonga, enkosi, kea leboga, baie dankie!

Long live Europe and Happy Europe Day!