WRITTEN QUESTION P-3137/02

by Sérgio Marques (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(28 October 2002)

Subject: European Programme for Reconstruction and Development in South Africa

Given that South Africa is by far Africa's biggest economy and constitutes a factor of political stability in a region with enormous political problems, the recent data on that country are disturbing. Despite the conclusion of the political transition, the prospects for the consolidation of democracy and social peace in South Africa are being adversely affected by rampant poverty, unemployment and inequality, the huge number of AIDS sufferers and the increasing safety problems in the main cities.

In this connection, the EU has made available, under the European Programme for Reconstruction and Development, a total of EUR 885,5 million for the period 2000-2006 (approximately EUR 126,5 million per annum); to this should be added the sum of EUR 825 million granted in EIB loans for the same period (approximately EUR 135 million per annum).

This programme seeks, through the establishment of financial and technical cooperation, to contribute to the sustainable and harmonious economic and social development of South Africa, in particular by means of measures for: reduction of poverty and creation of incentives to economic growth in the interests of the least-favoured sections of the population; the integration of South Africa into the global economy; an improvement in safety; and the consolidation of democracy and the rule of law on a basis of full respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms.

Given the above:

- Can the Commission provide information on the physical and financial execution of the different programmes supported by the European Programme for Reconstruction and Development in South Africa?

- Can the Commission specify the amounts already granted in EIB loans?

- Can the Commission state whether the impact of this programme has been subjected to any kind of ex ante assessment? If so, what is the expected impact with particular reference to job creation, infrastructure construction, improvement of safety, numbers of persons to be offered professional training, the effect on AIDS, etc?

Answer given by Mr Nielson on behalf of the Commission

(10 December 2002)

The European Programme for Reconstruction and Development in South Africa (EPRD) was created in 1996 with the aim of supporting the policies and reforms carried out by the South African authorities and thereby promoting sustainable economic and social development and the consolidation of a democratic society in South Africa.

It is implemented through the establishment of Multiannual Indicative Programmes (MIPs) based on a defined strategy, to provide a clear framework for Community funded cooperation activities in South Africa.

The second MIP was signed in June 2000. It covers the three-year period 2000-2002 and foresees a reference amount of EUR 340 million out of the total EUR 885,5 million, which, according to Regulation (EC) No 1726/2000 of the Parliament and the Council of 29 June 2000 on development cooperation with South Africa(1), constitutes the reference amount for Union-South Africa cooperation for the period 2000-2006. Within the period covered by this MIP it was agreed with the South African authorities that Community support would be focused in the areas of: poverty reduction; private sector development; consolidation of the rule of law; promotion of human rights and support to regional cooperation.

The annexes containing data concerning every Community programme financed since 1995 as well as information on the interventions of the European Investement Bank (EIB) in South Africa are sent direct to the Honourable Member and to Parliament's Secretariat.

A copy of the 2001 Report of the Delegation in South Africa, which contains more detailed information on the projects listed in the above-mentioned annex are sent to the Honourable Member and to Parliament's Secretariat. The report is also available from the Pretoria Delegation's website (http://www.eusa.org.za).

There has been no ex-ante impact evaluation of the EPRD. However, the Commission is in the final stages of completing a Country Strategy Evaluation (CSE) of the Community assistance to South Africa since 1994. The CSE is more specifically focused on the impact (ex-post evaluation) of the 1997-1999 MIP and on the relevance of the current Country Strategy and MIP for 2000-2002. The draft CSE concludes, among other things, that the current Union strategy is basically sound. Priorities are coherent with those outlined in the post-apartheid Reconstruction and Development Programme policy framework. The Commission has applied most recommendations from the earlier evaluation in 1999 and has also incorporated the lessons learnt from earlier pilot projects into an upgraded, comprehensive programme approach. In relation to the impact of the 1997-1999 MIP, the evaluation has found evidence of impact in all main areas. Statistics confirm progress in most social services sectors, except where massive rural emigration creates ever-increasing needs. However, there are considerable challenges, which are identified as priorities in the Government's Medium Term Expenditure Framework, and which need to be considered as crosscutting constraints for the effectiveness of the programmes. These include the human immunodeficiency virus/acquired immune deficiency syndrome (HIV/AIDS) pandemic (projections for which make it arguably the most serious problems for South Africa in the short and medium terms); de-centralisation and local development; skills and capacity shortages, and the provision of sustainable livelihood for the most disadvantaged.

The Commission has scheduled the evaluation report for publication towards the end of the year 2002.

(1) OJ L 198, 4.8.2000.