This committee comprises of ACP and EU Trade Ministers who meet to discuss all issues pertaining to trade and investment between the two regions. The decisions taken here are then discussed in the Council of Ministers meetings if necessary, however, the outcomes of the meeting are always presented to the Council of Ministers.

This meeting is very important to South Africa, as the EU is South Africa’s largest trading partner, and this forum allows for the promotion of South African interests within a larger negotiating block. Additionally, it provides the opportunity for the entire ‘South’ to negotiate better trading terms, and to raise concerns over issues of trade collectively against the EU.