WRITTEN QUESTION No. 58/98 by Alex SMITH to the Commission. Trade and cooperation agreement between the EU and South Africa
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 countryís structural problems. Under the joint declaration regarding the translation into action of the European Unionís 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