Development cooperation with South Africa

In adopting without debate its report, drafted by Mr. Raimondo FASSA (ELDR, I), on development co-operation with South Africa, the European Parliament called for priority to be given to the following : - the improvement of living conditions and the provision of basic social services; - support for democratisation, the protection of human rights, efficient public management, the strengthening of local authorities and the involvement of civil society in the development process. The Parliament does not consider the provision of support to adjustment efforts arising from the creation of a free trade area between the Union and South Africa. Furthermore, the Parliament wants the programme be extended in order to facilitate the gradual integration of the South African economy in the global economy and world trade and for it to focus on job creation and private sector development (including the promotion of mutual general interest co-operation between EU and South African businesses). It is also calling for the funds from the European Programme for Reconstruction and Development to be used to provide additional assistance to regional restructuring occasioned by the implementation of the EU-South Africa Trade, Development and Co-operation Agreement. It emphasises the possibilities for co-financing in cases where a project is designed as a start-up for an open-ended activity, in order to ensure the sustainability of such projects after Community funding has ceased. It also wishes to associate the EIB in the implementation of actions. As far as the triennial programming is concerned, the Parliament is demanding a derogation for programmes, such as the AIDS programme, citing the need for a loner term approach. Lastly, the Parliament wishes to be kept informed of actions that are funded and of their evaluation, and for the South Africa National Assembly also to be involved in this follow-up.�