Brussels, 01/12/2010 (Agence Europe) - From 2 to 4 December, Kinshasa will host the Joint Parliamentary Assembly (JPA), a political institution for dialogue which meets every six months, with an equal number of MEPs and MPs from the group of ACP States (Africa/Caribbean/Pacific).
The situation in DRC and Central Africa will soon be debated with the Congolese authorities. But it is food security and the many factors of insecurity in the region - the source of major concern - which will be the subject of emergency resolutions. The JPA will also adopt current resolutions on: - climate change and the transfer of low-carbon emissions technologies from the countries of the North to the countries of the South; - innovative responses to achieve the Millennium Development Objectives; - the freedom and independence of the media.
The session, which will be co-chaired by Louis Michel and David Matongo, will provide an opportunity for the traditional exchanges of views with the Council of the EU and the ACP Council, and with the European Commission, which will be represented by Andris Piebalgs (Development) and Karel De Gucht (Trade). De Gucht, who was once persona non grata in DRC, has managed to obtain a visa for this international meeting. (A.N./transl.fl)