The primary objectives of these joint discussions, according to the Department of International Relations, are to further deepen SA-EU relations and to address issues of mutual interest and concern, including the key government priorities, namely: health, education, rural development, job creation and combating crime.

“South Africa and the EU are both fully committed to a vision of an African Continent which is prosperous, peaceful, democratic, non-racial, non-sexist and united, and which contributes to a world that is just and equitable. The EU fully supports South Africa's commitment to the African Agenda, including the African Union and its socio-economic programme, NEPAD,” International Relations said on Wednesday.

Both partners are also committed to ensuring that the interests of developing and emerging countries are addressed, the ministry said, adding that both partners agree that the strategic partnership will be supportive of regional integration in SADC and the proposed Joint EU-Africa Strategy.

The delicate negotiation over an Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) between the European Union and the Southern African Development Community (SADC) is also likely to come up during the summit.

The summit will also discuss South Africa's preparations to host the United Nations climate talks from November 28 to December 9 in Durban.

The EU has given South Africa 6 million euros towards the climate conference, which activists are calling a last-ditch attempt to renew the emissions reduction targets in the Kyoto Protocol, the only binding global deal to cut greenhouse gases.

The EU is the world's largest trading bloc and generates about 30% of global GDP and 20% of global trade flows.

It is the world's biggest aid donor to poor countries, contributing approximately half of global aid.

It is also South Africa's largest trading partner, accounting for 26% of South Africa's total trade.