Activities of Elżbieta Katarzyna ŁUKACIJEWSKA 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 (17)
Amendment 5 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital A
Recital A
A. whereas the coronavirus pandemic, the war of aggression against Ukraine and the economic consequences thereof, as well as the current geopolitical changeslandscape have led to the countries of the Global South having a more self- determined role on the world stage;
Amendment 7 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital A a (new)
Recital A a (new)
A a. whereas the EU-SADC EPA is an enabler for sustainable growth and regional integration; whereas since the signature of the agreement in 2016, trade flows between the EU and SADC EPA countries have increased considerably, both at regional and bilateral levels;
Amendment 12 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital D
Recital D
D. whereas the full participation of civil societyall stakeholders, including civil society and private sector, in implementing and monitoring the EU-SADC EPA is essential for the timely identification of challenges, opportunities and priorities and for monitoring the respective agreed actions;
Amendment 27 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1
Paragraph 1
1. Welcomes the first review process launched in November 2021 after the EPA had been provisionally applied since 2016 and expects it to be able to demonstrate the link between the EPA and sustainable development; notes that the EPA, when implemented effectively, can ensure and contribute to sustainable development in the region;
Amendment 31 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2 a (new)
Paragraph 2 a (new)
2 a. Regrets that limited civil society involvement during the EPA implementation is observed; emphasizes, in this regard, the imperative of actively promoting civil society participation; notes that the active participation of civil society organizations and stakeholders, including women's groups and students' organisations, in the monitoring and evaluation process can provide valuable insights and feedback on the agreement's impact on women and young people;
Amendment 40 #
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; , articles of wood, transports 1a and raw materials; _________________ 1a Cipollina, Maria. 2022. ‘The Trade Growth under the EU–SADC Economic Partnership Agreement: An Empirical Assessment’. Economies 10 (12).
Amendment 41 #
3 a. Welcomes the Commission’s plans to extend the EPA soon to include the accession of Angola, hopes in this respect that the negotiation process will commence without further delay;
Amendment 43 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3 b (new)
Paragraph 3 b (new)
Amendment 53 #
5. Notes that no agreement has yet been reached on diagonal cumulationWelcomes the Commission's announcement on the activation of regional cumulation with SACU countries, which facilitates the export of products to the European Union, in coordination with imports from other SADC EPA states, EAC states, or certain ACP states; recalls that the introduction of flexible rules of origin is essential for achieving regional integration objectives; stresses that rules of origin must promote the objectives of the African Continental Free Trade Area;
Amendment 64 #
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;
Amendment 78 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11
Paragraph 11
11. Welcomes the efforts of the SADC EPA States and the Commission to establish closer cooperation on resilient food systems and food sovereignecurity within the review process;
Amendment 85 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12 a (new)
Paragraph 12 a (new)
12 a. Urges the Commission to enhance dialogue and foster mutual understanding through the collaboration of EU delegations with the European Parliament, with the objective of promoting EU climate initiatives, such as the introduction of the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) legislation and the Deforestation Regulation; it is crucial to emphasize to SADC states that these measures are not driven by EU protectionism, but rather reflect our international commitments in terms of climate action and sustainable development; encourages the Commission to take action to assist the SADC EPA countries in meeting EU environmental policy requirements;
Amendment 89 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14
Paragraph 14
14. Notes that the investment stock of EU Member States in the SADC EPA States remains significantly higher than that of the United States or China; emphasizes, in this respect the need for proactive measures to further attract increased investments, notably in strategic and innovative sectors, which can lead to higher-quality outcomes and foster more sustainable development which could result in long term benefits both for the SADC EPA countries and the EU;
Amendment 96 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15 a (new)
Paragraph 15 a (new)
15 a. Underlines the significance of Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs) in the economic development of SADC states, recognizing their potential and role; reiterates the need to raise awareness on the benefits and opportunities of the agreement, in particular for SMEs;
Amendment 99 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15 b (new)
Paragraph 15 b (new)
15 b. Emphasizes the importance of proactive involvement by private sector enterprises in the implementation and monitoring of the Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA);
Amendment 101 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15 c (new)
Paragraph 15 c (new)
15 c. Calls upon the Commission to actively promote and encourage participation in capacity-building programs and regional initiatives aimed at strengthening investment and export capacity while fostering a more SME- friendly market environment;
Amendment 102 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15 d (new)
Paragraph 15 d (new)
15 d. Welcomes the introduction of EU programs such as SIBE Programme aimed at improving the business and investment climate in SADC states; calls in this respect for more funding to be envisaged in the next financial period so as to boost more the growth and development of private sector as well as to create job opportunities for the local population reducing poverty;