28. 11. 96 Official Journal of the European Communities No L 306/5 COUNCIL REGULATION (EC) No 2259/96 of 22 November 1996 on development cooperation with South Africa THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION, Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Community, and in particular Article 130w thereof, Having regard to the proposal from the Commission ('), Acting in accordance with the procedure laid down in Article 189¢ (%), Whereas in the past Community policy towards South Africa took the form of punitive measures involving a trade embargo and economic sanctions against the government that bore responsibility for a policy of apartheid, and also of positive measures to help the victims of apartheid under the special programme of assistance channelled via Non Governmental Organiza- tions; Whereas, since the elections of April 1994 and the establishment of a democratic government, the Commu- nity has turned towards a strategy of support for the poli- cies and reforms undertaken by the South African autho- rities; Whereas in its declaration of 25 May 1993 the Council expressed its support for the establishment of democratic institutions; Whereas, in its declaration of 19 April 1994 on future relations between the Community and South Africa, the Council confirmed its support for stepping up coopera- tion with South Africa by focusing Community assistance on areas of activity likely to improve the living conditions of the people, and especially the poorest sections of the population; Whereas the aim of the Agreement on cooperation between the European Community and the Republic of South Africa signed in Pretoria in October 1994 is to promote harmonious and sustainable social and economic development and constitutes the first stage in the esta- blishment of long-term cooperation with South Africa for which a proposal for negotiating directives was submitted by the Commission to the Council on 31 March 1995; Whereas the budgetary authority has decided, in the framework of the 1986 budget, to create a budget line to support development actions in that country; (") OJ No C 235, 9. 9. 1995, p. S. (%) Opinion of the European Parliament of 10 October 1995 (O] No C 287, 30. 10. 1995, p. 29), Council Common Position of 19 March 1996 (O] No C 134, 6. 5. 1996, p. 12) and Decision of the European Parliament of 18 July 1996 (OJ No C 261, 9. 9. 1996, p. 144). Whereas the arrangements for administering the financial resources set aside by the Community for implementing such cooperation should be laid down; Whereas a financial reference amount, within the meaning of point 2 of the Declaration by the European Parliament, the Council and the Commission of 6 March 1995, is included in this Regulation for the duration of the programme, without thereby affecting the powers of the budgetary authority as they are defined by the Treaty, HAS ADOPTED THIS REGULATION: Article 1 The Community shall implement financial and technical cooperation with South Africa to support the policies and reforms carried out by that country’s national authorities. The aim of the Community cooperation programme, entitled the ‘European Programme for Reconstruction and Development in South Africa’, shall be to contribute to South Africa’s harmonious and sustainable economic and social development and to consolidate the foundations laid for a democratic society and a State governed by the rule of law in which human rights and fundamental free- doms are respected. Within this context the Community shall give priority to supporting operations to help the poorest sections of the population in South Africa. Article 2 1. The operations to be carried out under this Regula- tion mainly concern the following: — support for democratization and the protection of human rights, — education and training, — health, — rural development, — urban development and social housing, — support of and cooperation with the private sector, and in particular for small and medium-size enter- prises, — strengthening of institutions and the organization of local communities, — regional cooperation and integration, — protection of the environment. 2. In its cooperation operations, the Community will take account of the priorities set by the South African Programme for Reconstruction and Development.