South Africa and the European Union started a summit on Friday expected to be dominated by calls from African nations for sanctions against Zimbabwe to be lifted.

President Jacob Zuma was expected to press a call by southern African nations for the lifting of sanctions during meetings with EU representatives led by Swedish Prime Minister Fredrik Reinfeldt and EU foreign policy chief Javier Solana.

Britain and other EU countries imposed sanctions on President Robert Mugabe over claims that he rigged a 2002 election and human rights abuses. But African nations insist progress has been made with the signing of a national unity government accord.

"The EU considers South Africa as a strong and strategic partner in dealing with peace and stability in the region," said Swedish International Development Cooperation Minister Gunilla Carlsson in opening remarks at the meeting at Kleinmond outside Cape Town.

She said the agenda would include "how to promote peace, security and democracy in Africa, in particular in Sudan, Somalia and Zimbabwe."

Climate change, the economic crisis and trade agreements were also to be discussed.

The EU is South Africa's biggest trade and development partner. Europe accounts for 80 percent of foreign direct investment in South Africa.