Brussels, 12/09/2011 (Agence Europe) - Andris Piebalgs, the European Development Commissioner, will take the opportunity of his trip to South Africa (from 13 to 16 September), where he is taking part in the fourth annual EU/South Africa summit on 15 September (EUROPE 10449), to launch a new programme to support the primary health care sector of the country to the tune of €126 million. The aim of this programme is to increase life expectancy, reduce maternal and child mortality and to fight HIV/AIDS and tuberculosis, plagues which are still hindering the development of an emerging country which plays a pivotal economic role in southern Africa and the African continent.
Before he left on Monday, the Commissioner applauded “South Africa's efforts in increasing access to healthcare for its citizens and improving its quality”, adding that “efforts remain to be done. The launch of one of the largest EU health programmes in the world shows that we want to make a real difference in people's lives”.
“South Africa is a key strategic partner for the EU and has a leading economic and political role on the African continent. With €140 million a year, the EU showed a steadfast support to help the country in improving access to water and sanitation to hundreds of thousands of households, tackling pandemics and to creating jobs. Yet the country faces challenges with large parts of the population still living in poverty. I will confirm our continued commitment to finding innovative ways of working together to further support the South African people”, the commissioner added.
The development of South Africa, a country which is both a member of the group of ACP countries (Africa/Caribbean/Pacific) linked to the EU by means of the Cotonou agreement and a partner linked to the European Union by a Trade, Development and Cooperation Agreement (TDCA) since 1995, and which is also negotiating a regional economic partnership agreement (EPA) with the EU in the framework of the Cotonou agreement, will be at the centre of the talks to be held by Andris Piebalgs with his South African counterparts at the ministerial meeting which will precede the EU/South Africa summit. “We will certainly discuss the future of EU/South Africa development cooperation post-2013, both from the point of view of the national debate currently underway on a long-term vision and a strategic plan to promote economic growth and social equality in South Africa. The effectiveness of the aid, ahead of the UN high-level summit of Busan (29 November, 1 December), and the prospect of trilateral EU/South Africa/African Union co-operation will also be on the agenda”, he said.
With around €980 million earmarked for it for 2007-2013 (or €140 million a year) from the EU budget, South Africa receives by far the largest envelope granted by the EU in the framework of bilateral relations. The EU is also the largest donor to South Africa by a long way, as the Commission and the member states provide around 70% of the aid money the country receives. The EU is also by some margin the largest trade partner of South Africa. (A.N./transl.fl)