A3-0377/93

Resolution on development prospects in South Africa and Southern Africa

-having regard to the motion for a resolution by Mr Saby on development prospects in South Africa and Southern Africa (B3-1308/92),

-having regard to the resolution adopted by the ACP-EEC Joint Assembly (ACP-EEC 1057/93) and to the report and recommendations of the delegation of the Joint Assembly which visited South Africa from 20 to 27 March 1993 (AP/926),

-having regard to the Communication by the Commission on South Africa and the European Community: Guidelines for a Policy to support the Transition to Democracy (COM(93)0460) and the statement of the EC Council of Ministers in May 1993;

-having regard to the conclusions of the European Council of 29 October 1993 and in particular the decision to pursue joint action on the issue of South Africa,

-having regard to the Treaty on European Union, and in particular to its provisions on a Common Foreign and Security Policy (Title V),

-having regard to Rule 45 of its Rules of Procedure,

-having regard to the report of the Committee on Development and Cooperation (A3-0377/93),

A.whereas the Council, having regard to the decision to pursue joint action on South Africa, should follow the recommendations contained in this resolution,

B.whereas, with the adoption of the interim constitution, South Africa is currently experiencing the crucial transitional phase of its constitutional development towards a multi-party democracy based on the rule of law,

C.whereas the Transitional Executive Council (TEC) and its Sub-Councils are now operational and actively preparing for the elections to a constituent assembly, scheduled for 27 April 1994,

D.bearing in mind that democratization and the respect of human dignity, although underlying the changes taking place, will not directly impact on the capacity of South African society to resolve the profound social and economic disequilibrium resulting from the apartheid system and related factors,

E.considering, therefore, that the South African authorities must undertake substantial economic and social reform measures which will be of considerable cost in financial terms and which will require structural changes to the organisation of the nation's economy as well as an adaptation of the budgetary priorities to provide for increased expenditure in the social and educational sectors,

F.recognising that this process of economic change will take place over a period of time and that the need to maintain monetary and budgetary discipline in South Africa could impose unreasonable limits on development spending compared to the legitimate requirements of most of the South African people,

G.whereas international economic sanctions on South Africa are now lifted and therefore the investment of public and private capital in the economy is facilitated, in line with guarantees agreed by the Transitional Executive Council, on the recommendations of the National Economic Forum,

H.whereas greater regional integration in southern Africa, notably through SADC, is necessary in order to exploit fully the potential for additional trade as well as being an important factor for development, peace and stability;

I.whereas the European Union, and the broader international community, through international and multilateral institutions, have a responsibility to contribute to the development of South Africa and the southern African region in order to alleviate poverty and contribute to sustainable economic and social development;

J.bearing in mind the various initiatives already taken by the European Parliament, including the establishment and consolidation of the Special Programme for victims of apartheid and the assistance for the democratization programme and elections in South Africa;

K.whereas the deplorable level of violence, particularly in certain parts of South Africa, should not be used as a pretext to undermine the democratic process, even if it hampers the chances of economic investment in these areas;

1.Urges the Commission to enter into discussions with the Transitional Executive Council on the details of the form of relationship to be established between South Africa and the European Union and on the substance of the relationship in terms of priorities for areas of trade and development cooperation;

2.Calls, in view of the above, for a new framework to be established for political and economic relations between the European Union and South Africa, taking account both of the existing SADC countries' membership of the ACP-EEC Convention and of the situation in South Africa;

3.Believes that South Africa should reinforce its relationship with the countries of SADC and contribute constructively to the development of regional projects notably in the energy and communications sectors;

4.Proposes, as far as relations with the European Union are concerned, the establishment of a Framework Agreement as a first step towards closer political and economic cooperation, which could be followed up by an Association Agreement pending more structured links with the countries of the ACP-EEC Convention;

5.Supports the request of South Africa to join the World Bank and the IMF, and also considers that membership of the African Development Bank would be desirable once South Africa becomes a member of the OAU;

6.Reiterates its full and committed support to the constitutional reform process and calls on all political organisations and representatives of civil society to participate fully in the electoral process which is now underway;

7.Appeals to extremist political groups to refrain from acts of violence which might compromise the democratic process and to respect the democratic decisions adopted by the multi-party negotiating conference;

8.Will attach a high priority to the sending of observers to the elections to the constituent assembly once an invitation has been received from the Independent Electoral Commission, established to organize and manage the electoral process in South Africa;

-Concerning development priorities in South Africa

9.Believes that the development resources committed by the international donor community, including the EC, should be properly coordinated with democratic South African national and local authorities and that projects and programmes thus financed should ensure the active involvement and participation of local communities in the conception and implementation of such projects and programmes;

10.Considers that the European Delegation office in South Africa should be adequately staffed to cope with the considerable political, development and humanitarian demands which will be made upon it;

11.Requests the Commission to cooperate with the South African Development Bank with a view to alleviating poverty in the poorest regions of South Africa;

12.Considers that the Special Programme for South Africa must continue to evolve and must accept the participation of new partners in its projects, since current developments in South Africa mean that the European Community is increasingly required to work with organizations within South African society and no longer solely with its traditional partners;

13.Confirms its proposals that identify human resource development, housing, health-care services, water and sanitation projects, electrification and rural development as being priorities for donor support;

-Concerning the southern African region

14.Welcomes and supports the "Windhoek Initiative" which, by convening the speakers and representatives of national parliaments from SADC member states, has paved the way for the launching of an SADC Parliamentary Forum;

15.Urges South Africa to enhance its relationship with the neighbouring countries of the southern African region in the commercial and monetary field and to encourage moves towards the harmonization of customs tariffs and the promotion of intra-regional trade;

16.Welcomes the outcome of the recent PTA (Preferential Trade Area) meeting in Kampala and the moves now agreed to further develop PTA responsibilities and to extend its membership to include a democratic South Africa;

17.Encourages the development of joint ventures with other countries and with private investors, in order to promote industrial development and job creation;

18.Urges that particular attention be paid to the transport and communications sectors given the efforts of the SADC countries in this regard and the potential which South Africa has for facilitating intra-regional contacts;

19.Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Commission and the Council, and to the Transitional Executive Council and Government of South Africa.