Activities of Joachim SCHUSTER related to 2023/2065(INI)
Plenary speeches (1)
Implementation of the EU-Southern African Development Community (SADC) Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) (A9-0024/2024 - Joachim Schuster) (vote)
Reports (1)
REPORT on the implementation of the EU-Southern African Development Community (SADC) Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA)
Amendments (51)
Amendment 4 #
Motion for a resolution
Citation 19 a (new)
Citation 19 a (new)
– having regard to the UNCTAD 2021 publication 'Transforming Southern Africa: Harnessing Regional Value Chains and Industrial Policy for Development',
Amendment 17 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital E a (new)
Recital E a (new)
E a. whereas the SADC EPA states are facing challenges such as deep inequalities and a heavy dependence on exports of unprocessed raw materials and agricultural products;
Amendment 18 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital E b (new)
Recital E b (new)
Amendment 20 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital F a (new)
Recital F a (new)
F a. whereas the objective of the SADC Industrialisation Strategy and Roadmap 2015–2063 is to develop and participate in regional and global value chains;
Amendment 21 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital F b (new)
Recital F b (new)
F b. whereas transport and digital infrastructure is needed to develop regional value chains and increasingly integrate SADC states into global value chains;
Amendment 22 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital F c (new)
Recital F c (new)
F c. whereas the crucial elements for successful participation in the value chain are financing, skills, technology, infrastructure and logistics;
Amendment 23 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital G a (new)
Recital G a (new)
G a. whereas the consequences of the measures taken to prevent the spread of Covid-19 have significantly affected the livelihoods of populations, particularly in the states of Eswatini and Lesotho, which depend on the South African Labour and Border Crossing;
Amendment 24 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital G b (new)
Recital G b (new)
G b. whereas commodity price volatility during the Covid-19 pandemic caused economic damage to SADC EPA countries dependent on the tax revenues from extractive industries;
Amendment 25 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital H a (new)
Recital H a (new)
H a. whereas diversified economies would make the SADC EPA States more resilient to external shocks;
Amendment 29 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 a (new)
Paragraph 1 a (new)
1 a. Reiterates the European Parliament’s position on the importance of the involvement of civil society in the implementation and monitoring of the EPA;
Amendment 32 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2 b (new)
Paragraph 2 b (new)
2 b. Advocates for more structured participation of civil society and advocates that it be given a monitoring role with regard to the concrete implementation of all sustainability aspects in the EU-SADC EPA; urges SADC countries to comply with the commitments agreed under the EPA to engage civil society actors;
Amendment 33 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2 c (new)
Paragraph 2 c (new)
2 c. Recognizes that flexible transitional arrangements are needed for SADC EPA countries to comply with the TSD requirements in the EPA and other international commitments;
Amendment 34 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2 d (new)
Paragraph 2 d (new)
2 d. Expects that, depending on the outcome of the review, the EPA will be adapted or possibly expanded in complementary agreements in order to consolidate and deepen the partnership between the EU and South African countries in response to geopolitical changes and to the challenges of climate change;
Amendment 35 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2 d (new)
Paragraph 2 d (new)
2 d. Welcomes the accession plans of Angola to enter the EU-SADC EPA; recalls that according the own impact assessment of the Commission, Angola faces capacity issues in order to implement the EPA effectively; calls on the Commission to assist Angola in capacity building;
Amendment 36 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2 e (new)
Paragraph 2 e (new)
2 e. Welcomes the decarbonisation aspirations of Angola, a country that has been heavily relying on its extractive industries;
Amendment 37 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2 f (new)
Paragraph 2 f (new)
2 f. Welcomes that within the framework of the EU-Angola SIFA, fiscal capacity building measures are being envisaged;
Amendment 42 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3 a (new)
Paragraph 3 a (new)
3 a. Emphasises that with the exception of South Africa, SADC EPA states primarily trade within the region; stresses the importance of strengthening regional value chains;
Amendment 47 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4 a (new)
Paragraph 4 a (new)
4 a. Recalls the need to promote efficient cross-border infrastructure development, harmonizing regulations, and strengthening cooperation among member states to create an interconnected SADC region;
Amendment 48 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4 b (new)
Paragraph 4 b (new)
Amendment 49 #
Motion for a resolution
Subheading 3 a (new)
Subheading 3 a (new)
Calls on the EU and SADC EPA states to work towards the development of high- quality digital infrastructure, including broadband networks and digital platforms, to enhance connectivity, promote e-commerce, and facilitate the exchange of information and services across borders;
Amendment 50 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4 c (new)
Paragraph 4 c (new)
4 c. Stresses the necessity of formalizing cross-border work arrangements to promote decent work, protect workers' rights, and ensure social and economic development in the region; recognizes the specific challenges faced by women particularly in the context of cross-border work, including gender based violence and corruption;
Amendment 51 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4 d (new)
Paragraph 4 d (new)
4 d. Urges the Commission and SADC EPA states to extent their commitment to creating an enabling environment that supports legal and transparent labour mobility while safeguarding the rights and dignity of workers;
Amendment 58 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6
Paragraph 6
6. Notes that trade irritants have occurred in relation to sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) measures, in particular for poultry and citrus fruits; calls on the Commission and the SADC EPA States to use the forums and cooperation mechanisms agreed under the EPA to address changes in regulations and problems related to SPS measures at an early stage and in a cooperative atmosphere so that appropriate action can be taken in a timely manner; expects meaningful reports to the EP in the framework of the review, in which it is conclusively demonstrated that SPS requirements are not hidden protectionist measures;
Amendment 61 #
Motion for a resolution
Subheading 7
Subheading 7
Amendment 65 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9
Paragraph 9
9. Concludes that the EPA has not succeeded in deepening regional value chains in and between SADC EPA States to any significant extent; does not consider the EPA to have substantially contributed to the promotion of food sovereignty and poverty reduction in the SADC EPA States; concludes that the EPA has not contributed to the advancement of sustainable development;
Amendment 69 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9 a (new)
Paragraph 9 a (new)
9 a. Stresses that effective management of regional specialisation is essential to maximise the potential of regional value chains and requires cooperative governance structures and policies;
Amendment 70 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9 b (new)
Paragraph 9 b (new)
9 b. Underscores the critical importance of the service value chain in driving economic growth, fostering innovation, and enhancing regional cooperation within the SADC region; highlights the potential in the service sectors in the SADC region which include financial services, tourism and telecommunications;
Amendment 71 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9 c (new)
Paragraph 9 c (new)
9 c. Acknowledges the vital role of women in the economic development of the SADC region and the importance of creating an enabling environment that safeguards their rights;
Amendment 72 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9 d (new)
Paragraph 9 d (new)
9 d. Underscores the importance of investing in education and skills development tailored to decarbonisation efforts while addressing the challenges of the just transition;
Amendment 73 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9 e (new)
Paragraph 9 e (new)
Amendment 74 #
Motion for a resolution
Subheading 8
Subheading 8
Amendment 76 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10 a (new)
Paragraph 10 a (new)
Amendment 79 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11 a (new)
Paragraph 11 a (new)
11 a. Stresses the need for efforts in building climate-resilient value chains within the agro-industry and the development of drought-resistant crop varieties and climate-adapted processing techniques;
Amendment 80 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11 b (new)
Paragraph 11 b (new)
11 b. Emphasises that access to clean water and sanitation facilities is fundamental to agricultural sustainability; stresses the need for comprehensive water management strategies; emphasizes that the lack of access to clean water and sanitation in the SADC region is an obstacle to sustainable development;
Amendment 81 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11 c (new)
Paragraph 11 c (new)
11 c. Calls for regional agro-processing initiatives to be carried out and shared among SADC Member States to promote knowledge exchange and sharing of best practices; calls for the monitoring of progress of regional value chains in agricultural processing;
Amendment 83 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12
Paragraph 12
12. Stresses that there is an urgent need to undertake far-reaching joint efforts towards decarbonisation; emphasizes the significance of joint collaboration in promoting sustainable development, combating climate change, while fostering economic growth;
Amendment 84 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12 a (new)
Paragraph 12 a (new)
Amendment 86 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13 a (new)
Paragraph 13 a (new)
13 a. Calls on the EU and its Member States to intensify their efforts at international fora, including the World Trade Organization (WTO), to advocate for increased international climate financing;
Amendment 87 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13 b (new)
Paragraph 13 b (new)
13 b. Calls on the EU and SADC Member States to actively explore innovative mechanisms for green finance, including green bonds, climate-focused investment funds, and public-private partnerships, leveraging international platforms to attract investments for sustainable and climate-resilient projects;
Amendment 88 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13 c (new)
Paragraph 13 c (new)
13 c. Calls on the EU to leverage its influence in obtaining improved financing practices from institutions like the World Bank and enhancing the IMF's role in debt relief measures; further urges the EU and SADC Member States to jointly explore innovative financing possibilities like securing loans similar to the EU's internal recovery fund and subsequently allocating them under appropriate conditions to finance public infrastructure in crucial areas such as energy, water supply, waste disposal, and recycling; calls on the EU and its Member States to use their influence to explore new approaches such as debt relief measures that unlock finance for climate adaptation;
Amendment 91 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15
Paragraph 15
15. CFurther considers that there is an urgent need to increase sustainable investment in the SADC region and expects investment areas to be identified that appear particularly suitable for investment partnerships between the EU and the SADC EPA States; calls for a better coordinated Team Europe approach in identifying and implementing suitable measures to increase investment; stresses that the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals requires massive investments in supporting infrastructure and diversification away from dependence on primary commodities towards high- value industrial products;
Amendment 94 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15 a (new)
Paragraph 15 a (new)
15 a. Calls on the EU to channel Global Gateway funds into the development of critical infrastructure, including transportation networks, energy systems, water supply, and digital connectivity, enhancing regional integration and economic competitiveness; further calls for Global Gateway funds for training and capacity building programs aimed at enhancing the skills and expertise of the workforce in SADC member states, fostering entrepreneurship, and promoting employment opportunities, particularly among youth and women; stresses the need for more transparency on the investments foreseen for SADC countries under Global Gateway; believes that Global Gateway funds should be increased and that the share of grants for equally necessary public investments must be increased;
Amendment 98 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15 b (new)
Paragraph 15 b (new)
15 b. Calls on the Commission and Member States to ensure that when selecting and supporting Global Gateway projects, social dialogue needs to be an integral part of the institutional framework for policy-making and implementation at all levels;
Amendment 100 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15 c (new)
Paragraph 15 c (new)
15 c. Welcomes the Just Energy Transition Partnership (JETP) between South Africa, France, Germany, the United Kingdom and the United States of America and the European Union; notes that the climate-neutral transformation of energy systems will require extensive public investment; is concerned by the fact that the promised 8.5 billion US Dollars for the JETP represent just a fraction of the estimated 98 billion US dollars required to finance South Africa's just energy transition; points out the need to create greater transparency about the funded projects; calls for the active involvement of the social partners and other civil society actors; considers an expansion of funding and, in the process, an increase in grants to finance individual projects to be necessary as the possibilities for South Africa to borrow are limited in view of rising interest rates;
Amendment 103 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15 d (new)
Paragraph 15 d (new)
15 d. Calls on the Commission to better coordinate individual national export credit agencies of EU Member States in order to align with priorities of the European Green Deal;
Amendment 104 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15 e (new)
Paragraph 15 e (new)
Amendment 106 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16 a (new)
Paragraph 16 a (new)
16 a. Considers the EU-Angola Sustainable Investment Facilitation Agreement (SIFA) to be an important approach to encourage investment in the expansion of regional value chains and the diversification of the economy in Angola; believes that agreements such as the SIFA can provide a legal and organisational framework for investment partnerships; welcomes the fact that the SIFA includes important aspects of the practical implementation of investments - such as transparency and predictability of investments, streamlining of approval procedures, establishment for focal points of interested investors, procedures for dispute avoidance and resolution; stresses that the SIFA rightfully does not include provisions on investment protection; calls on the SADC EPA member states to consider whether a Sustainable Investment Facilitation Agreement should complement the EPA; calls on the SADC EPA Member States to enter into negotiations on this issue, if necessary;
Amendment 113 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17 a (new)
Paragraph 17 a (new)
17 a. Welcomes the Strategic Partnership with Namibia, which aims to build renewable hydrogen development and critical raw material value chains; recalls the need of developing necessary infrastructure, such as renewable energy facilities, transportation networks, and research centres, to facilitate the production and distribution of renewable hydrogen;
Amendment 114 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17 b (new)
Paragraph 17 b (new)
17 b. Emphasizes the substantial economic and climate policy opportunities presented by the collaborative initiative involving two private companies and the Namibian state, known as 'Hyphen Hydrogen Energy,' aimed at producing green hydrogen in Namibia; anticipates that this venture not only has the potential to fulfil Namibia's hydrogen needs but can also cater to the demands of other Southern African states and EU Member States; expects the project to align with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in its scale and implementation;
Amendment 115 #
Motion for a resolution
Subheading 11 a (new)
Subheading 11 a (new)
Calls in this context for the establishment of knowledge-sharing platforms and research networks to facilitate the exchange of best practices, experience and innovative solutions between Member States; considers it useful to extend technological cooperation to other fields;
Amendment 123 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18 a (new)
Paragraph 18 a (new)
18 a. Welcomes the efforts made within the EU-South Africa Strategic Partnership to build a vaccine production infrastructure, stresses that these must contain the production of Covid-19 vaccines;