EU backs SA amid Trump administration freezing aid over Expropriation Act

CAPE TOWN - The European Union in South Africa has thrown its weight behind South Africa as it battles an onslaught from the Trump administration which is freezing aid to the country over the Expropriation Act.

In an online video, four ambassadors from Germany, Italy, France and the European Union itself, express their solidarity with South Africa and say they are committed to multilateralism and upholding constitutional values.

The solidarity messages come on the back of European Commission president, Antonio Costa, posting about a phone call with President Cyril Ramaphosa on Monday, in which he said he highlighted the EU's commitment to deepening ties.

In the wake of US President Donald Trump issuing an executive order issued against South Africa, the European Union is coming out in South Africa's defence as a country that upholds constitutional values. 

Costa described South Africa as a reliable and predictable partner. 

Now its member states are backing up that view with messages of support in a video titled "United in diversity". 

German ambassador to South Africa, Andreas Peschke, delivered the opening lines, saying there were many parallels between the EU and South Africa. 

Italian Ambassador Alberto Vecchi added that his country was committed to more equity and justice in the world.

French Ambassador David Martinon spoke of shared values.

"Just like you, we love our constitutional rights and protections, and we do believe in a non-racial and non-sexist democracy."

The EU's Deputy Ambassador Pencho Garrido Ruiz said that as South Africa's most important trading partner, it could rely on the EU during its G20 presidency. 

"Like you, we push for the values of solidarity, equality and sustainability."

Last week, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced he would not be attending next week’s G20 meeting of foreign affairs ministers, falsely alleging land grabs were taking place.

In his executive order, Trump offered asylum in the US to Afrikaner farmers.

The EU-SA summit is due to take place on 13 March.