WRITTEN QUESTION No. 58/98 by Alex SMITH to the Commission. Trade and cooperation agreement between the EU and South Africa
Date: 1998-01-29
Institutions: European Parliament, SMITH ALEX
Subjects: South Africa, cooperation agreement, development policy, equal treatment, gender equality, impact study, international cooperation, trade agreement, women's rights

22. 6. 98

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 196/113

While acknowledging that achievements to date have been satisfactory, the Commission agrees with the view
expressed by the Heads of Mission: 1998 will be a crucial year. Sensitive subjects, such as the purchase of land
and its distribution to the groups named in the agreements, the fairness and effectiveness of the tax system, the
administration of justice, the increase in social expenditure, and the establishment of a national land registry will
provide the Government with a difficult set of tests of its ability to address the country(cid:146)s structural problems.

Under  the  joint  declaration  regarding  the  translation  into  action  of  the  European  Union(cid:146)s  contribution  to  the
peace process in Guatemala the Commission made a big contribution in 1997 to the implementation of the peace
agreements. Action related, in particular, to the demobilisation and reintegration into productive life of former
URNG (Guatemalan Revolutionary National Unity Movement) fighters (the following have been or are being
implemented: heading B7-210, Humanitarian and Emergency Projects (ECHO) and B7-217: six projects totalling
ECU 3 440 000; heading B7-6410 Rehabilitation: one project worth ECU 950 000, of which the following have
been committed: B7-6410 Rehabilitation: one project worth ECU 5 million for permanent reintegration of former
URNG fighters); establishment of a national land registry (approval of a pilot project worth ECU 990 000); aid
for  setting  up  a  civilian  national  police  force  (PNC)  (approval  of  a  major  aid  project,  amounting  to
ECU 31.73 million, to train PNC members, supply of equipment, rehabilitation of the police training school, and
the  building  of  small-scale  infrastructure  (police  stations)  in  various  departments  of  the  country)  and  aid  for
strengthening local government (approval of an initial pilot project: ECU 940 000).

Altogether,  Community cooperation in  1997 linked directly  with the implementation of the peace agreement
amounted  to  ECU  43  million;  total  cooperation  spending  (under  all  financial  instruments)  amounted  to
ECU 63 million.

Financial aid from the Community is subject to the general requirement for compliance with the spirit of the
peace  agreements.  This  requirement  has,  of  course,  to  be  applied  by  constantly  assessing  that  there  is  a
sufficiently  strong  political  will  to  carry  out  the  various  undertakings  given  while  taking  account  of  the
difficulties which may hamper their implementation.

(98/C 196/158)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0057/98

by Alex Smith (PSE) to the Commission

(29 January 1998)

Subject: Trade and cooperation agreement between the EU and South Africa

The EU is currently negotiating a trade and cooperation agreement with South Africa. The agreement will be
crucial  for  the  future  of  South  Africa.  It  is  therefore  important  to  make  sure  that  all  sectors  of  society,  and
especially the more vulnerable groups, benefit from the agreement.

The biggest vulnerable group are women. How is the Commission going to make sure that the agreement, and
especially its trade section, will not adversely affect women in South Africa? Will impact studies on the effects of
the agreement on women be drawn up? Would the Commission be prepared to support South Africa financially if
it drew up such studies?

In particular, will the Commission review the impact of EU imports on local products which are often traded in
the region by small-scale women traders? Will there be an exemption for these products which provide a large
number of women with an income in the informal sector?

(98/C 196/159)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0058/98

by Alex Smith (PSE) to the Commission

(29 January 1998)

Subject: Trade and cooperation agreement between the EU and South Africa

The EU is currently negotiating a trade and cooperation agreement with South Africa. The agreement will be
very important for the people of South Africa. However, experience shows that women often find it very difficult
to participate in the proposed measures of a cooperation agreement.