Local view for "http://purl.org/linkedpolitics/eu/plenary/1999-10-05-Speech-2-130"
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"en.19991005.8.2-130"2
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"Mr President, first of all, I would like to thank the rapporteur for her excellent report that begins by saying that after five years of discussion, hesitation, prevarication, consultation and negotiation, at last, we have a trade agreement between the European Union and South Africa. The Dutch would express this more succinctly, Mrs Kinnock, by saying that after five years of moaning, whining and whinging, the die is finally cast. The Dutch nationals in our midst will know very well what I mean by this. Incidentally, and I agree with Mr Van den Bos on this, the Member States were the major culprits as regards all the moaning, whining and whinging. It was not the Commission and it certainly was not Parliament.
Mr President, whatever the words are that we use to express it in our national languages, the negotiations for this trade agreement were dragged out over a long period of time in an unprecedented manner, which was, as many resolutions in this House have expressed, a poor performance, particularly in view of the courageous transition to free and democratic government carried through by South Africa; a marvellous achievement in an age when there is so much violence in the world. That is why South Africa is an example to us all.
The EU is South Africa’s foremost trading partner, absorbing 33% of its exports and accounting for 40% of its imports. That is why this agreement is so important for us, but, more importantly, for South Africa. It is a modern agreement which is adapted to the times and is all about the liberalisation of tariffs, the setting up of a free trade area, agreements on economic and development cooperation and agreements on science and technology and on a political dialogue. To sum up, it is an agreement that is sure to enable both sides to make progress for a few years. It could have been better of course but I think we would be well advised to just be satisfied with it for the time being.
An asymmetrical trade agreement also has a lot to offer in that Europe is to open its markets to 95% of South African exports and South Africa, in its turn, is to open its markets to 86% of European exports. This will involve 75% of South African agricultural products. Indeed, most trading products will soon, or at least in three years’ time, be allowed in, subject to as few restrictions as possible. Of course, the fact that port and sherry have caused such delay and that, what is more, transitional regimes of 5 to 12 years have been created for this, does not inspire much confidence. But neither does this matter a great deal. I agree with Mr Gahler and I can tell him that we drink more “sect” than champagne in the Netherlands. So in the long run, quality, along with price is at least as important as the name.
Mr President, I have said enough on the detail of this agreement. The political aspects of the agreements are, of course, just as important. As far as that is concerned, we sincerely hope that this agreement will give a positive boost to the economic development and political stabilisation of South Africa. There is still a great deal of cause for concern there, though, for the pace of economic development in South Africa is slackening, as a result of which the fight against poverty, which is to reduce the deprivation suffered by the black and coloured populations owing to years of apartheid, is not making nearly enough progress. Poverty is still there for all to see in South Africa and this is leading to a section of the younger generation becoming frustrated and also turning to crime. This does not just have a serious impact on the groups concerned for it also, I am sorry to say, holds back a certain amount of investment, which causes economic development to slacken off further still.
It is important that this trade agreement has, at last, got off the ground now because it will make it possible for the European business community to know what stage it is at in South Africa and the same applies to the South African business community. In any event, the Netherlands is soon to send a trade delegation to South Africa and I hope that the other Member States will follow suit. South Africa needs new impetus to promote economic growth and drive out poverty at a more rapid pace. This would benefit political stability and is what is most needed.
Mr President, South Africa will enter a new era when the forthcoming elections are over. It will be an era in which signs of hope and progress must be translated into economic and social stability and into justice. This trade agreement has a positive role to fulfil here. My group endorses it and I sincerely hope that positive consequences will indeed flow from it."@en1
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