His Majesty King Mswati III has expressed strong anticipation for government’s forthcoming political dialogue with the European Union (EU).
The monarch highlighted the country’s commitment to strengthening cooperation when making his remarks while receiving letters of credence from the new ambassadors of Lithuania, Slovakia, Italy, Finland and Hungary at Lozitha Royal Palace.
Strengthening Partnerships
Addressing the new envoys, His Majesty said the upcoming dialogue would provide an opportunity for the country to further strengthen partnerships with the EU, particularly in governance, economic growth and social development.
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He emphasised Eswatini’s commitment to engaging constructively with international partners and leveraging the EU’s expertise to accelerate national development while promoting peace and stability.
“We look forward to the dialogue and hope you as new ambassadors will participate, as we regard the EU as a forward-looking partner eager to translate dialogue into tangible outcomes,” he said.
The monarch also praised the EU for its ongoing contributions to Eswatini’s economic and social development, including support in agriculture, education, youth and women empowerment, and infrastructure.
Broader Global Context
His Majesty placed the EU partnership within the broader context of Africa’s development aspirations, citing the African Union’s Agenda 2063 and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) for 2030.
He pointed to the EU’s growth from its initial 10 Member States to its current bloc as an example of unity and rapid development that Eswatini could learn from.
“Eswatini is therefore looking forward to learning from its experience to avoid reinventing the wheel,” said the King, linking cooperation to global peace and stability amid conflicts in Europe, the Middle East and Africa.
The King also reflected on Eswatini’s cultural resilience, highlighting the recent Reed Dance where about 200,000 maidens participated despite heavy rains.
“Despite the rain, the young participants continued with full spirit, demonstrating respect for unity and culture,” he said.
Commitment to Partnership
The monarch assured the new ambassadors that Eswatini remains a committed and reliable partner.
“Eswatini is ready to work together to realise shared aspirations. We also assure you of full support during your tenure and encourage you to engage directly with local communities to understand the country’s culture, people and priorities,” His Majesty stated.
EU Dialogue Preparations
The upcoming EU political dialogue will be the first for the current EU Ambassador to Eswatini, Karsten Mecklenburg.
While dates had not been confirmed by press time, insiders revealed that Ambassador Mecklenburg was already engaged in preliminary meetings regarding the session.
The forthcoming talks are expected to build on the outcomes of the 22nd dialogue held in June 2023 under former EU Ambassador Dessislava Choumelova. That session in Ezulwini covered governance, human rights, rule of law, development cooperation, trade and global concerns.
During the 22nd dialogue, the EU delegation — led by Ambassador Choumelova alongside six ambassadors and senior diplomats — met with a government team led by Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Pholile Shakantu.
Key topics included preparations for the 2023 national elections, human rights issues such as the assassination of lawyer Thulani Maseko, the arrests of MPs Bacede Mabuza and Mthandeni Dube, as well as EU development programmes.
These covered the 11th European Development Fund (EDF) initiatives on agriculture and private sector growth, and the Multiannual Indicative Programme (MIP) for 2021–2027 focusing on youth and women empowerment, income generation, and education.
The EU also highlighted thematic programmes under the NDICI–Global Europe initiative, including human rights, democracy, civil society development, judicial reforms and gender-based violence prevention.
