Activities of Helmut SCHOLZ related to 2023/2065(INI)
Shadow reports (1)
REPORT on the implementation of the EU-Southern African Development Community (SADC) Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA)
Amendments (11)
Amendment 8 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital B
Recital B
B. whereas the association of important countries of the Global South in the BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa) alliance, which is to be expanded by six more countries from 2024 following the decision of the BRICS summit in August 2023, underscores the importance of maintaining cooperation with Global South nations on equal and equitable terms; whereas the interest of Egypt, Ethiopia and other African countries in joining BRICS must also be seen as a response to developments that have characterised the steady decline in Africa’s share of world trade over the last 50 years;
Amendment 9 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital C
Recital C
C. whereas South Africa plays a prominent role as a bridge-builder between the European Union and the African continent and as a partner in addressing global challenges; whereas the European Union and Germany have committed to helping South Africa phase out the use of fossil fuels for electricity production and in households following its agreement to ambitious climate goals;
Amendment 10 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital C a (new)
Recital C a (new)
Ca. whereas, despite European promises of cooperation in the energy sector, too few viable projects are being carried out, which also explains the dramatic increase in the length of power cuts in South Africa;
Amendment 38 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3
Paragraph 3
3. Welcomes the fact that trade relations between the EU and the SADC EPA States have expanded significantly with the SADC EPA States being able to achieve a trade surplus; considers that this demonstrates the EPA’s positive contribution to economic development; notes that, with the exception of South Africa, the bulk of SADC EPA States’ exports to the EU involve unprocessed agricultural products and raw materials, while the desired positive effects on employment, regional economic cooperation and the diversification and modernisation of the economy failed to materialise; notes that, with the exception of South Africa, the bulk of SADC EPA States’ exports to the EU involve unprocessed agricultural products, diamonds and the like, and raw materials; notes that trade with South Africa continues to account for 80 % of the EU’s trade with the SADC; regrets that South Africa’s trade with other African countries accounts for only 17 % of its total foreign trade;
Amendment 59 #
Motion for a resolution
Subheading 6 a (new)
Subheading 6 a (new)
Highlights the importance of technology transfers in the region; welcomes, in this regard, the six proposals tabled by South Africa with the African Group in the World Trade Organisation and calls on the Commission to support technology transfers being put on the agenda of the 13th WTO Ministerial Conference;
Amendment 63 #
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; underlines the importance of developing regional value chains for the economic resilience of the region; does not consider the EPA to have substantially contributed to the promotion of food sovereignty and poverty reduction in the SADC EPA States;
Amendment 82 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12
Paragraph 12
12. Stresses that there is an urgent need to undertake far-reaching joint efforts towards decarbonisation and to support this with substantial funding, as well as to carry out far-reaching technology transfers; takes the view that new energy partnerships with partner countries in the SADC region for the production of green hydrogen must include binding agreements on the structure and time- bound action targets of priority supply for the region and on employment and environmental policy standards in line with international agreements as important criteria for catching up in terms of economic self-development, rather than being primarily focused on the implementation of the Green Deal in Europe;
Amendment 90 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14 a (new)
Paragraph 14 a (new)
14a. Stresses that Global Gateway investments should primarily be aimed at meeting infrastructure needs in southern Africa; underlines the importance of involving local companies wherever possible in the implementation process to keep invested funds in the region, boost employment and facilitate the transfer of skills;
Amendment 93 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15
Paragraph 15
15. 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; emphasises that creating decent jobs must be a key factor for supporting investment in the SADC region;
Amendment 109 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17
Paragraph 17
17. Calls on the Commission and the SADC EPA States to strengthen cooperation through formal forums in order to ensure a diversified and sustainable supply of key raw materials for the green and digital transformation, improve recycling of natural resources and promote responsible mining practices; calls for the continuous and broad participation of all relevant stakeholders; regrets the continued violation of human rights and high level of environmental damage, caused in particular by mining companies, and emphasises the need for close cooperation and support in the implementation of future European legislation on due diligence along the entire supply chain;
Amendment 122 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18
Paragraph 18
18. Notes that the initial EU policy in connection with the demand by, inter alia, India and South Africa for the removal of patent protection for COVID vaccines has led to considerable disagreement with South Africa; stresses that this form of cooperation does not meet the requirements of athe agreed on equal partnership; calls for the EU and its Member States to work towards anthe long overdue agreement to extend the waiver to therapeutics and diagnostics;